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A comparison of career maturity between junior college and polytechnic students in Singapore
Author
Sng, Yan Ling
Supervisor
Tan, Esther
Abstract
For the last two decades, career guidance and counseling has matured from ad hoc classroom efforts via Civics and Moral Education lessons, to a structured curriculum comprising a multitude of classroom and experiential activities. Earlier local studies focused on identifying the level and predictors of the affective, behavioral and cognitive aspects of the career development of adolescents.
In view of the vast changes that have occurred in both the education system and the importance accorded to career guidance and counseling, this study involving junior college and polytechnic students aimed to investigate a sample that has to date, not been studied. In Singapore, the transition from secondary school to a post-secondary institute of study such as junior college or polytechnic, is a crucial one which involves great deliberation because it is a major educational decision. Such a decision would depend on how much and how well the adolescent has done in terms of career planning and exploration; what is his or her knowledge of the world of work, and career decision-making ability.
Using Super's theory of career development and Tan's framework of career development in adolescents', this study compared the career maturity level and career guidance experiences of junior college and polytechnic students, and examined various predictors such as gender, parental involvement and parents' education. The Australian version of the Career Development Inventory (CDI-A) was the key instrument used together with a questionnaire designed by the researcher to solicit information on the respondents' personal particulars, parent information, parental involvement and career guidance experience.
The research findings revealed a significant difference in career maturity between the junior college and polytechnic students in favour of the former. As in other local studies, gender difference was not a significant predictor of differences in career maturity and career guidance experience. For both groups, career guidance experience was significantly correlated with career maturity. Parental involvement was an important predictor for the junior college group but not so for the polytechnic students. The findings also revealed that most students found job attachment or work experience of some kind to be a desirable career guidance activity.
In the light of the findings, implications for the review of the career guidance programme were discussed and some suggestions for further research were made.
In view of the vast changes that have occurred in both the education system and the importance accorded to career guidance and counseling, this study involving junior college and polytechnic students aimed to investigate a sample that has to date, not been studied. In Singapore, the transition from secondary school to a post-secondary institute of study such as junior college or polytechnic, is a crucial one which involves great deliberation because it is a major educational decision. Such a decision would depend on how much and how well the adolescent has done in terms of career planning and exploration; what is his or her knowledge of the world of work, and career decision-making ability.
Using Super's theory of career development and Tan's framework of career development in adolescents', this study compared the career maturity level and career guidance experiences of junior college and polytechnic students, and examined various predictors such as gender, parental involvement and parents' education. The Australian version of the Career Development Inventory (CDI-A) was the key instrument used together with a questionnaire designed by the researcher to solicit information on the respondents' personal particulars, parent information, parental involvement and career guidance experience.
The research findings revealed a significant difference in career maturity between the junior college and polytechnic students in favour of the former. As in other local studies, gender difference was not a significant predictor of differences in career maturity and career guidance experience. For both groups, career guidance experience was significantly correlated with career maturity. Parental involvement was an important predictor for the junior college group but not so for the polytechnic students. The findings also revealed that most students found job attachment or work experience of some kind to be a desirable career guidance activity.
In the light of the findings, implications for the review of the career guidance programme were discussed and some suggestions for further research were made.
Date Issued
2004
Call Number
HF5382.5.S55 Sng
Date Submitted
2004