Females had significantly higher attitude and competency scores on the Abbreviated Career Maturity Inventory, completed by 114 female and 187 male African-American high school students. Educational plans were consistent with occupational expectations; 90% females and 74% males preferred careers requiring degrees, and 89% females and 86% males…

Existing theories of career development are based primarily on observations of white, middle-class males. This has prompted consideration of a separate theory of career development for women. Before a separate theory can be justified, it must be established that sex differences in the career development process do exist. A study attempted to…

Cross-sectional data were provided by 1484 male high school pupils. All subjects completed either the Otis Intermediate Test or the Otis Higher Test, Crites' Vocational Development Inventory (VDI), and the author's Student Survey. Results indicate that subjects' anticipated stage of leaving school was significantly related to realism of vocational…

This study examined differences in vocational maturity of women across different levels of internal-external control and typical versus atypical vocational choice. Results indicated that internally controlled women had significantly higher vocational maturity than externally controlled women; no differences were found in vocational maturity…

Measures of the perception of occupational prestige and vocational maturity of high school students were investigated together with other variables. Correlates of the perception of occupational prestige, showing no sex differences, were vocational maturity, educational level associated with father's occupation, educational level required for the…

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…

This document describes one school district's efforts to improve its career development programs at the postsecondary level. The district's Central Planning Team identified several specific objectives for accomplishing this, and developed a sequence of tasks for carrying out the objectives. One of the first and most critical tasks in that sequence…

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.…

This study contributes to the current ambivalence in the research literature about the utility of short-term approaches in the vocational development of high school students. (Author)

Investigated educational, social, and psychological correlates of vocational maturity in Ontario high school students (N=272). Analysis showed Career Maturity Inventory (CMI) scores were generally correlated with students' educational and occupational aspirations and parents' aspirations. Higher CMI scores were associated with higher self-esteem…

Effects of the Vocational Exploration Group in aiding students to develop positive attitudes about career exploration and become more knowledgeable about the world of work were maintained for six months. Such attitudes seem to encourage junior high students to actively engage in career education programs. (Author)

In a survey of 242 seventh and eighth grade students ranking highest (129) and lowest (113) in occupational attitudes and abilities, those who believe a variety of careers possible have high self-esteem, middle to high socioeconomic status (SES), cognitive vocational complexity, and are mostly female. Those doubtful of their career potential have…

Examined the relationship between career aspiration-current occupation congruence and the career maturity of 134 undergraduates (103 women and 31 men) attending a large Midwestern community college. Results revealed a significant relationship (p<.01) between aspiration-occupation congruence and two separate measures of career maturity. (Author)

Presents biographical information on Lenore White Harmon, noted professor, counselor, and researcher. In a question-and-answer section, Harmon describes her early career decisions, work history, research efforts, professional contributions, important influences and reflections on her career development. (KW)