ERIC Number: ED465895
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 2002-May
Pages: 120
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Decisions without Direction: Career Guidance and Decision-Making among American Youth.
Hurley, Dan, Ed.; Thorp, Jim, Ed.
The attitudes and career plans of high school juniors and seniors were examined in a telephone survey of 809 U.S. high school juniors and seniors (sampling error, +/-3.5%). The respondents ranged in age from 14 to 20 years and were evenly divided between males and females. The key conclusions were as follows: (1) students perceive a lack of career guidance; (2) bias toward four-year colleges is pervasive; and (3) career choice is based on personal interest over career opportunity. The following were among the researchers' even recommendations for improving career guidance systems: (1) fund and empower K-12 career counselors; (2) increase partnerships between educators and industry; (3) realign career recruitment/image campaigns; and (4) promote the career pathways concept. (Thirty tables/figures and survey overview and demographic analysis are included. The following items are appended: "Practice and Research in Career Counseling and Development--2000" (Darrell Anthony Luzzo, Marilyn Wright MacGregor); "Perceived Influences on High School Students' Current Career Expectations" (Heidi K. Paa, Ellen Hawley McWhirter); a profile of the Get Tech campaign of the National Association of Manufacturers' Center for Workforce Success; "Training with a Purpose" (David C. Sansone); "Schools and Industry--A Winning Combination" (David C. Sansone); and "Final Report and Recommendations" (Ferris State University Partnership for Career Decision-Making in Technologies and Health Sciences)). (MN)
Descriptors: Career Choice, Career Counseling, Career Development, Career Guidance, Change Strategies, Colleges, Decision Making, Educational Attitudes, Educational Change, Educational Improvement, Educational Research, Elementary Education, Employment Opportunities, Health Occupations, High School Students, High Schools, Higher Education, Influences, Manufacturing Industry, National Organizations, National Surveys, Partnerships in Education, School Business Relationship, Student Attitudes, Student Educational Objectives, Systems Approach, Telephone Surveys, Vocational Interests, Work Attitudes
For full text: http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/administration/president/CI/report.pd f.
Publication Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Association of Manufacturers, Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: Ferris State Univ., Big Rapids, MI. Career Inst. for Education and Workforce Development.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Data collection and assistance from EPIC-MRA, Lansing, MI. Study supported by Precision-Metalforming Association Educational Foundation and Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation.