Abstract:
The value of career education is measured by the extent to which it enhances
students' decision making skills regarding career planning. This is referred to as "career
maturity".
The purpose of this study was to examine what connections could be found
between career education and career maturity within one career planning course. A
senior level career planning class was studied in depth for one semester and five senior
students participated in the study. The five students were interviewed three times during
the semester to determine whether, and to what extent, students feel more prepared
personally to make decisions as a result of a guided course of instruction.
The current trend in education shows an increased emphasis on career education.
The government mandates career education, students are in need of career planning
courses, and parents want students to learn how to effectively make decisions concerning
their future. With this increased emphasis comes the need to evaluate current career
education programs which is why this study is significant and useful.
The central findings were as follows: first, as a result of taking a career planning
course students did increase their career maturity. Second, current career education
planning curriculum was similar to the proposed course of study for career planning
which comes into effect in September 1999. Current curriculum does help to prepare
students to make informed educational and career decisions, a chief aim of the proposed
curriculum. Knowing that this outcome is currently achieved will help when the course
is being organized to fit the new curriculum.
