Skip to main content
Log in

The effects of middle-school career intervention on students’ career readiness

  • Published:
International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study examines the effectiveness of a career intervention in middle schools. The intervention was organized in eight 45-minute-long group sessions. A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design was applied, with 120 students in the experimental group and 156 in the control group. Small- to medium-size effects were found in terms of reduction of lack of career information and an increase in independence in career decision-making. The observed effects were stable across gender and for high and low school achievers.

Resumé

Les effets d’une intervention d’orientation de carrière chez des collégien.ne.s sur la préparation au choix professionnel L’étude examine l’efficacité d’une intervention d’orientation de carrière dans les collèges. L’intervention a été organisée en huit séances de groupe de 45 min chacune. Dans cette étude, un design quasi-expérimental composé d’un pré- et d’un post- test a été adopté, avec 120 étudiant.e.s dans le groupe expérimental et 156 dans le groupe témoin. Des effets de taille petite à moyenne ont été constaté en termes de réduction du manque d’information sur les parcours professionnels et de l’augmentation de l’indépendance dans le processus de prise de décision. Les effets observés étaient stables entre les genres et entre le niveau de performance scolaire des étudiant.e.s.

Abstrakt

Effekte von Interventionen der Berufs- und Studienwahl in der Mittelstufe auf die Berufswahlbereitschaft der Schülerinnen und Schüler Die Studie untersucht die Wirksamkeit von Interventionen der Berufs- und Studienwahl in Schulen der Mittelstufe. Die Interventionen bestanden aus acht 45-minütigen Gruppensitzungen. Dabei wurde ein quasi-experimentelles Prä- und Post-Test-Design angewendet mit 120 Studierenden in der Versuchsgruppe und 156 Studierenden in der Kontrollgruppe. Es wurden kleine bis mittlere Effekte festgestellt in Form einer Reduktion von fehlenden Laufbahninformationen sowie einer größeren Unabhängigkeit bei der beruflichen Entscheidungsfindung. Die beobachteten Effekte waren stabil bezüglich des Geschlechts und bezüglich der Schulleistung der Schülerinnen und Schüler.

Resumen

Los Efectos de la Intervención Profesional en la Escuela Intermedia en la Preparación Profesional de los Estudiantes El estudio examina la efectividad de una intervención profesional en las escuelas intermedias. La intervención se organizó en ocho sesiones grupales de 45 minutos de duración. Se aplicó un diseño cuasi experimental pre y post prueba, con 120 estudiantes en el grupo experimental y 156 en el grupo control. Se encontraron efectos de tamaño pequeño a mediano en términos de reducción de la falta de información profesional y un aumento de la independencia en la toma de decisiones profesionales. Los efectos observados fueron estables en todos los géneros y para los alumnos de secundaria y bachillerato.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akos, P., Konold, T., & Niles, S. G. (2004). A career readiness typology and typal membership in middle school. The Career Development Quarterly,53(1), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.2004.tb00655.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albion, M. J., & Fogarty, G. J. (2002). Factors influencing career decision making in adolescents and adults. Journal of Career Assessment,10(1), 91–126. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072702010001006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babarović, T. (2009). Computer-assisted career guidance: Comparison of different career decision making models (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from Croatian scientific bibliography. (CSB No: 453175)

  • Babarović, T., & Šverko, I. (1999a). Razmisli o budućnosti: školski program profesionalnog razvoja za osnovne škole. Zagreb: Razbor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babarović, T., & Šverko, I. (1999b). Usredotoči se na budućnost: školski program profesionalnog razvoja za srednje škole. Zagreb: Razbor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babarović, T., & Šverko, I. (2011). Vocational maturity of primary school students in Croatia. Suvremena Psihologija,14(1), 91–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babarović T., & Šverko, I. (2016a). Career Readiness Scale. Vocational development in adolescence: Setting the adolescent career transition model, VDAACTM, HRZZ-1229. Retrieved from: http://www.putkarijere.hr/strucne-informacije/koristeni-upitnici.

  • Babarović, T., & Šverko, I. (2016b). Vocational development in adolescence: Career construction, career decision-making difficulties and career adaptability of Croatian high-school students. Primenjena Psihologija,9(4), 429–448. https://doi.org/10.19090/pp.2016.4.429-448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babarović, T., & Šverko, I. (2017). Profesionalno usmjeravanje u osnovnim i srednjim školama iz perspektive učenika. [Career Guidance in Primary and Secondary Schools from a Student Perspective]. Agency for Mobility and EU programmes, Zagreb.

  • Babarović, T., & Šverko, I. (2018). The validity of Career Decision-Making Difficulties questionnaire in Croatia. Journal of Career Assessment. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072717748960.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, S. B., & Popowicz, C. L. (1983). Meta-analysis as a strategy for evaluating effects of career education interventions. The Vocational Guidance Quarterly,31, 178–186. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2164-585X.1983.tb02216.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Betz, N. E., Klein, K. L., & Taylor, K. M. (1996). Evaluation of a short form of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale. Journal of Career Assessment,4(1), 47–57. https://doi.org/10.1177/106907279600400103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Betz, N. E., & Taylor, K. M. (2012). Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale and short form and manual. Menlo Park, CA: Mind Garden Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borman, C. (1972). Effects of a reinforcement style of counseling on information-seeking behavior. Journal of Vocational Behavior,2(3), 255–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(72)90032-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bošnjak, K. (2015). Validacija skale samoefikasnoti u odučavanju o karijeri. [The validity of The Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale]. (Unpublished master’s thesis). The University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

  • Brown, S. D., & Ryan Krane, N. E. (2000). Four (or five) sessions and a cloud of dust: Old assumptions and new observations about career counseling. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology (3rd ed., pp. 740–766). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burušić, J., Babarović, T., & Šakić, M. (2008). Vanjsko vrednovanje obrazovnih postignuća u osnovnim školama Republike Hrvatske - učenici 8. Razreda [External evaluation of educational achievenment in Croatian primary schools - 8th grade primary school students]. Zagreb: Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar Nacionalni centar za vanjsko vrednovanje obrazovanja.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burušić, J., Babarović, T., & Šakić, M. (2009). Odrednice uspješnosti osnovnih škola u Republici Hrvatskoj: rezultati empirijske provjere [Determinants of school effectiveness in primary schools in the Republic of Croatia: Results of empirical investigation]. Društvena istraživanja,18(4–5), 605–624.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caleon, I. S., & Subramaniam, R. (2008). Attitudes towards science of intellectually gifted and mainstream upper primary students in Singapore. Journal of Research in Science Teaching,45(8), 940–954. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaney, D., Hammond, M. S., Betz, N. E., & Multon, K. D. (2007). The reliability and factor structure of the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale-SF with African Americans. Journal of Career Assessment,15(2), 194–205. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072706298020.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creed, P. A., Patton, W., & Watson, M. B. (2002). Cross-cultural equivalence of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form: An Australian and South African comparison. Journal of Career Assessment,10, 327–342. https://doi.org/10.1177/10672702010003004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Lang, A.-G., & Buchner, A. (2007). G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behavior Research Methods,39, 175–191. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.41.4.1149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finch, C. R., & Mooney, M. (1997). School-to-work-opportunities in the middle school: Concepts and issues. Berkley, CA: National Center for Research in Vocational Education, University of California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gati, I., Krausz, M., & Osipow, S. H. (1996). A taxonomy of difficulties in career decision making. Journal of Counseling Psychology,43(4), 510–526. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.43.4.510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gati, I., & Ram, G. (2000). Counselors’ judgments of the quality of the prescreening stage of the career decision making process. Journal of Counseling Psychology,47(4), 414–428. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.47.4.414.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gati, I., & Saka, N. (2001). Internet-based versus paper-and-pencil assessment: Measuring career decision-making difficulties. Journal of Career Assessment,9(4), 397–416. https://doi.org/10.1177/106907270100900406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glass, G. V., Peckham, P. D., & Sanders, J. R. (1972). Consequences of failure to meet assumptions underlying the fixed effects analyses of variance and covariance. Review of Educational Research,42(3), 237–288. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543042003237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hampton, N. Z. (2005). Testing for the structure of the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form among Chinese college students. Journal of Career Assessment,13(1), 98–113. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072704270298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, K. L., & Karp, M. M. (2004). School-based career development: A synthesis of the literature. New York: Institute on Education and the Economy Teachers College, Columbia University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, J. E., & Eccles, J. S. (2000). Parents, task values, and real-life achievement related choices. In C. Sansone & J. M. Harackiewicz (Eds.), Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation: The search for optimal motivation and performance (pp. 405–439). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012619070-0/50036-2.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, L. S. (2000). The relevance of school to career: A study in student awareness. Journal of Career Development,26(4), 263–276. https://doi.org/10.1177/089484530002600403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lapan, R. T., Gysbers, N., Hughey, K., & Arni, T. J. (1993). Evaluating a guidance and language arts unit for high school juniors. Journal of Counseling & Development,71(4), 444–451. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1993.tb02663.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacCallum, R. C., Zhang, S., Preacher, K. J., & Rucker, D. D. (2002). On the practice of dichotomization of quantitative variables. Psychological Methods,7(1), 19–40. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.7.1.19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mau, W. C. (2004). Cultural dimensions of career decision-making difficulties. Career Development Quarterly,53(1), 67–77. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.2004.tb00656.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mau, W. C., & Fernandes, A. (2001). Characteristics and satisfaction of students who used career counseling services. Journal of College Student Development,42(6), 581–588.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, S. E., & Delaney, H. D. (1993). Bivariate median splits and spurious statistical significance. Psychological Bulletin,113(1), 181–190. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.113.1.181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meldahl, J. M., & Muchinsky, P. M. (1997). The neurotic dimension of vocational indecision: Gender comparability? Journal of Career Assessment,5(3), 317–331. https://doi.org/10.1177/106907279700500305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, L. W., & Spokane, A. R. (1988). Career intervention outcome: What contributes to client gain? Journal of Counseling Psychology,35(4), 447–462. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.35.4.447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, J. H., Rojewski, J. W., & Lee, I. H. (2018). Determinants of adolescents’ career development competencies in junior secondary schools of South Korea. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance,18(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-017-9342-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry, N., & VanZandt, Z. (2006a). Exploring future options: A career development curriculum for middle school students. New York: IDEA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, N., & VanZandt, Z. (2006b). Focus on the future: A career development curriculum for secondary school students. New York: IDEA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, S. L., & del Mas, R. C. (1998). The component structure of career decision-making self-efficacy for underprepared college students. Journal of Career Development,24(3), 209–225. https://doi.org/10.1177/089484539802400304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robbins, S. B. (1985). Validity estimates for the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development,18(2), 64–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481756.1985.12022792.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rochlen, A. B., Mohr, J. J., & Hargrove, B. H. (1999). Development of the attitudes toward Career Counseling Scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology,46(2), 196–206. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.46.2.196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenzweig, E. Q., & Wigfield, A. (2016). STEM motivation interventions for adolescents: A promising start, but further to go. Educational Psychologist,51(2), 146–163. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2016.1154792.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saka, N., & Gati, I. (2007). Emotional and personality-related aspects of persistent career decision-making difficulties. Journal of Vocational Behavior,71(3), 340–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2007.08.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schunk, D. H., & Usher, E. L. (2012). Social cognitive theory and motivation. In R. M. Ryan (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of human motivation (pp. 13–27). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spokane, A. R., & Oliver, L. W. (1983). Outcomes of vocational interventions. In S. H. Osipow & W. B. Walsh (Eds.), Handbook of vocational psychology (pp. 99–136). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Šverko, I., Babarović, T., & Černja, I. (2015). The relation between career maturity and differentiation and consistency of vocational interests in primary schools. In: M. Tummino, M. Bollati, & M. Widmann (Eds.), 14th European Congress of Psychology, Book of Abstracts. Innexta S.r.l.-Milano.

  • Tai, R., Liu, C., Maltese, A., & Fan, X. (2006). Planning early for careers in science. Science,312(5777), 1143–1144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, K. M., & Betz, N. E. (1983). Applications of self-efficacy theory to the understanding and treatment of career indecision. Journal of Vocational Behavior,22(1), 63–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(83)90006-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, K. M., & Popma, J. (1990). Construct validity of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale and the relationship of CDMSE to vocational indecision. Journal of Vocational Behavior,37, 17–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(90)90004-L.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tien, H. S. (2005). The validation of the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Scale in a Chinese culture. Journal of Career Assessment,13(1), 114–127. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072704270327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trice, A., & King, R. (1991). Stability of kindergarten children’s career aspirations. Psychological Reports,68, 1378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vlahović, D. (2017). Validation of the career maturity questionnaire (Master’s thesis, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia). Retrieved from https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:111:760101.

  • Whiston, S. C. (2002). Application of the principles: Career counseling and interventions. The Counseling Psychologist,30(2), 218–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000002302002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whiston, S. C., Brecheisen, B. K., & Stephens, J. (2003). Does treatment modality affect career counseling effectiveness? Journal of Vocational Behavior,62(3), 390–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-8791(02)00050-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whiston, S. C., & Keller, B. K. (2004). The influences of the family of origin on career development. The Counselling Psychologist,34(4), 493–568. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000004265660.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whiston, S. C., & Oliver, L. W. (2005). Career counseling process and outcome. In W. B. Walsh & M. L. Savickas (Eds.), Handbook of vocational psychology: Theory, research, and practice (3rd ed., pp. 155–194). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whiston, S. C., & Rahardja, D. (2008). Vocational counseling process and outcome. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology (4th ed., pp. 444–461). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whiston, S. C., Sexton, T. L., & Lasoff, D. L. (1998). Career intervention outcome: A replication and extension of Oliver and Spokane (1988). Journal of Counseling Psychology,45(2), 150–165. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.45.2.150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox, R. R. (2005). Introduction to robust estimation and hypothesis testing (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyss, V. L., Heulskamp, D., & Siebert, C. J. (2012). Increasing middle school student interest in STEM careers with videos of scientists. International Journal of Environmental & Science Education,7(4), 501–522.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Toni Babarović.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Babarović, T., Dević, I. & Blažev, M. The effects of middle-school career intervention on students’ career readiness. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 20, 429–450 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-019-09411-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-019-09411-5

Keywords

Navigation