The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between career decision self-efficacy (CDSE) and components of the secondary agricultural education program. Additionally, the authors sought to describe secondary students' CDSE and career decision influences. This study's design was descriptive and relational and incorporated high…

This study reviews the current state of career maturity in secondary education--a period of education which is critical for development of this construct, when students are faced with ongoing academic and occupational decisions over the course of their studies. This paper is organized in three parts: first we focus on the concept, models,…

Investigated the effect of a short-term career guidance program on the career maturity and self-concept of Black and White delinquent youth (N=40). While not significantly different, the treatment groups achieved higher career maturity and self-concept scores than the control groups. (BH)

This study of Black high school seniors focused on the assessment of three factors: (1) the relationship between vocational aspirations and actual vocational plans; (2) the relationship between vocational aspirations, actual vocational plans, and levels of academic achievement; and (3) the major factors that influenced the seniors' determination…

Investigated the predictive and construct validity of six experimental measures of career maturity among high school students. Data provide some support for the construct and predictive validity of four of the six career maturity scales. Some technical issues and possible sources of invalidity are discussed, and recommedations are made for future…

Investigated the relationships between career maturity and career curriculum in 38 Melbourne metropolitan secondary schools (N=2280 students) using an Australian adaption of the Career Development Inventory. Results confirmed that schools with career education programs achieved higher gains in student career maturity. (JAC)

The career maturity of 55 academically at-risk students in an integrated career and academic program was strongly influenced by their beliefs regarding overcoming obstacles and peer equality. Beliefs about what seems necessary for happiness and about differences among colleges and occupations also influenced career development attitudes. (Contains…

Tested eight hypotheses concerning relationships between socioeconomic status, sex, work importance, and career maturity with high school students (N=382). Results indicated that work salience (but not socioeconomic status--and sex only slightly) is directly related to career maturity. (LLL)

The occupational cylinder demonstrates the hierarchical arrangement of the occupational levels and the circular configuration of occupational fields. In this study, contribution of the cylinder to the vocational maturity of 11th and 12th graders was investigated. The study implies that an understanding of the occupational structure enhances…

A study attempted to determine the stability of the occupational aspirations of young adults, using data from the High School and Beyond study. (Data for that study had been gathered from seniors who graduated from high school in 1980 and were followed up in 1982, 1984, and 1986). About 9,400 subjects were used in the descriptive research.…

The study investigated the extent to which four groups (N=50 in each group) of learning disabled (LD) adolescents differed on career attitudes as related to making a sound career decision. Ss included 50 LD students enrolled in regular secondary classes, 50 LD students enrolled in secondary LD classes, 50 LD students enrolled in secondary…

Two causal models of career development differing in inclusion or noninclusion of variables unique to the experience of the hearing impaired were compared for their ability to explain variance in career maturity, with data from 71 hearing-impaired adolescents. Results suggest neither model is more powerful in explaining career maturity variance.…

Tested two types of career training (field exposure and didactic classroom) to determine which is more effective in bringing about the development of career maturity. Results indicated that field exposure career training is an effective method to increase career maturity. (Author)

While Holland's (1973) theory of personality types and vocational identity is widely used, the theory does not specify the developmental antecedents of the six personality types. To examine the relationship between membership in adolescent social cliques and vocational identity in early adulthood, four groups of college students (N=192)…

The study investigated the career attitudes of three groups of learning disabled (LD) adolescents: (1) 30 LD students enrolled in secondary regular classes, (2) 30 LD students enrolled in secondary vocational training classes, and (3) 30 LD students enrolled in the regular secondary classes and receiving additional services through Learning…