Several researchers have hypothesized relationships between vocational congruence and career success. In view of this fact, a study examined the relationships between the vocational congruence, academic success, and career maturity of 401 undergraduates (251 females and 150 males) attending a large state university. The respondents, who…

Career clients at a university counseling center were placed in self-directed or interactional career workshops. Changes in levels of career maturity and career exploration behavior were tested. People with high goal instability performed better in interactional than in self-directed workshops. Participant preference for interactional workshops…

Studied the relationship of vocational maturity with Holland's theory of vocational choice. Examined Holland's constructs of consistency, differentiation, and congruency, along with demographic factors of sex and age. Results showed congruency and age related significantly to vocational maturity. Significant differences occurred within both…

In France, a survey of vocational maturity was carried out among students enrolling at a university for the first time. The institutional framework and purposes of the survey, population studied, main findings, and practical conclusions that might be drawn when defining objectives of guidance for new university entrants are examined. (Author/JMD)

Compared value of several theoretically derived personal (age and gender), educational (class standing and academic performance), and psychological (locus of control and vocational congruence) factors as predictors of undergraduates' (n=337) career maturity. Vocational congruence and academic performance emerged as two most significant predictors.…

In a sample of 1622 students in college for three years, 24 percent indecisive students were found and compared with vocationally decisive students (having majors) using precollege measures of achievement, aptitude, and interest. Measures of interest differentiation were of particular concern. Most important to vocational indecision, however, was…

This study examined antecedents related to low vocational identity in college freshmen. College students (N=360) completed the 35-item Low Vocational Identity Antecedents Scale (LVIAS) developed for this study, the Vocational Identity Scale (VIS), and other measures. Based on results from this sample, a 15-item LVIAS was developed that…

Reviews of 20 career guidance measures are reprinted from the Association for Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development's "Newsnotes." Each entry includes author, title, publisher, purpose, format, scoring, norms, cost, review, concerns, and additional reviews. These tests cover the areas of occupational interests, career awareness,…

This summary report on the Study of Induction Programs for Beginning Teachers offers insights on the findings of the study. Two kinds of programs were studied: preservice internship programs, and induction programs. A discussion is given on what the study revealed about the experiences of beginning teachers in the transition period from students…

The results of an evaluation of a college credit course, "Decision Making for Career Development," indiciated that the course activities made a positive contribution to the measured vocational development of students. Students rated group instruction and personal counselor contacts as important to their progress in the decision-making process.…

Compared the effectiveness of a vocational information group (VIG), self-growth group (SGG), and control group (CG). The VIG was significantly higher than the CG on vocational maturity and self-esteem. The SGG was significantly higher than the CG on vocational maturity. (Author)

Only the College Major Questionnaire distinguished between women who had different career plans. Women planning to pursue graduate or law school were more intuitive. Women planning to practice nursing were more analytic. The measures discriminated among women at different years in school. (Author)

This study compared 127 vocationally undecided college graduates matched by sex, age, and college major with graduates selecting occupations on a Survey of Graduating Seniors. Undecideds had lower grade point averages, fewer career plans, less graduate school attendance, and less satisfaction with university experiences. Suggestions for countering…

A collection of 50 articles comprising guidelines for use of career assessment instruments by school counselors is provided. Topics addressed include: the nature of the guide, the counselor's role in career assessment, selection of career assessment instruments, interpretation of psychometric instruments in career counseling, and testing…

Examined the relationship of career maturity and academic achievement in 182 community college students and 126 disadvantaged college freshmen. The modest relationship found suggests that counselors can increase retention by helping students achieve career maturity. (JAC)