Career assessment and planning services that enable students with disabilities to make successful transitions from higher education to careers are an important component often missing in the postsecondary educational experience. Comprehensive services in this regard involve students in considering how to incorporate their preferences, assets, and…

In a women's prison, 31 first-time offenders, 30 probationers, and 31 repeat offenders were compared in terms of dysfunctional career thoughts and career interests. Repeat offenders had significantly less commitment anxiety. Probationers had higher coherence in career aspirations; however, only 13% of the whole group had high coherence. (SK)

Scores of 81 adults on the Career Thoughts Inventory and the Self-Directed Search (SDS) showed a canonical correlation between the typology structure measured by the SDS and dysfunctional career thoughts. Depending on their dominant SDS score, some people may be more anxious and confused about career decision making than others. (SK)

This study explored the differences on variables of satisfaction, self-concept, self-acceptance, and vocational maturity between freshmen students who made congruent and incongruent occupational choices. Findings suggest that subjects in the congruent male group tend to report better maintenance of personal stability and greater satisfaction than…

In this study, the relationship of expressed occupational daydreams and scores on the Self-Directed Search (SDS) were examined. Results were consistent with Holland's theory of careers. Implications for career counselors are discussed. Students were asked to provide specific biographical data (i. e., age, gender, race) and to write down their…

Compared effectiveness of two career self-assessments: the Vocational Interest, Experience, and Skills Assessment (VIESA) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS). Fifty-one college student volunteers from career-planning seminars participated. Results indicated both instruments were found useful. No statistically significant preference for either SDS…

Tested the hypothesis that an abbreviated Self-Directed Search (SDS) would increase self-estimated career knowledge and decision making of students (N=173). Completing an abbreviated SDS decreased self-estimated career management competencies, but it did not affect tested career management competencies nor differentially affect men and women nor…

Increase in predictability of vocational plans of college women (N=152) was sought by using variables from Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS). The most recent daydream and summary of daydream codes were the best single predictors of academic major. The most recent daydream was the best single predictor of vocational plans. (Author)

An investigation explored the use of Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) by 185 readers and 152 non-readers (ages 14-21) with learning disabilities or mild mental retardation. The SDS was reliable for both readers and non-readers, able to validly measure preferences, and sensitive to preferences with respect to disability group membership.…

Evaluated the Occu-Sort, and the Self-Directed Search, focusing on six areas of interest to school counselors, e.g., proportion of nontraditional occupations suggested and later considered, number suggested and later considered, understanding and recall of the letter codes, and reliability of the self-scored occupational code for the O-S. (PAS)

Investigates: (1) the ability of the Canadian Occupational Interest Inventory (COII) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS) to discriminate among Grade 12 students; (2) inter-scale correlations of these measures; and (3) relationships between the student groups' interest patterns and external reference points. Findings indicate the scales discriminate…

Describes characteristics of working-class people who are attending community colleges. Discusses InfoPLACE, a comprehensive career-planning resource center serving a socioeconomic cross-section of clients from a public library setting. Offers that using InfoPLACE before reaching the college campus can be beneficial. Presents examples of…

Compared student satisfaction ratings for CHOICES, an interactive computer-based career guidance program, and the Self-Directed Search, a pencil-and-paper career planning guide. Results indicated a user preference for CHOICES, although both programs received positive ratings. The findings were discussed in terms of cost effectiveness. (Author/JAC)