Life pathway analysis project

Abstract

The first purpose of this study examines the extent of career indecision among 16 year old students in Singapore. Although important career development processes emerge during the developmental period of late adolescence (aged 16-17 years or Grade 11), career decision-making difficulties also intensify. In pursuit of this research aim, we ask the following questions:<br> i) What types of educational and occupations goals do students intend to pursue after they leave secondary school?; ii) What is the extent of career indecision among Singaporean students; and iii) Does career indecision vary across family and academic background characteristics?<br> The second purpose establishes external construct validation of career indecision using a range of 21st century competency measures. For this purpose, thirteen variables will be selected and conceptually organised according to the Singapore Desired Outcomes of Education Framework. The research questions for this section include: iv) Do students who are indecisive about their career goals report lower mean scores across measures of 21st century competencies? v) Do clarity of students’ career goals predict higher levels of 21st century competencies?