The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the career exploration program on the career maturity of middle school students.
To achieve this purpose, the data were collected from 45 middle school students in the third grade who I took in c...
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the career exploration program on the career maturity of middle school students.
To achieve this purpose, the data were collected from 45 middle school students in the third grade who I took in charge of the Creative Studies.
The research questions were as follows:
First, does the career program affect the attitude of the career maturity?
Second, does the career program affect the ability of career maturity?
Third, does the career program affect the behavior of career maturity?
The group career counseling program was modified with supplement and reconstruction on the basis of Group Career Counselling Program(Kim Chung-Gi, 2001), the Career selection program(ChungChungBuk-Do Education and Science Research Institute, 2002; Taegu Education and Science Institute, 2002). The measurement instrument of the result was the Career Maturity Inventory(Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training, 2001).
The program was applied to the experimental group 14 times, once a week for a 10 week period. The program was not applied to the control group.
The results were summarized as follows;
First, the experimental group's levels of independence, planning, and attitude of jobs were significantly higher than those of the control group by comparing the results of the pre-post test in attitude component.
Second, the experimental group's levels of self-appraisal(appraisement), rational goal selection, and knowledge of the various and popular occupations were significantly higher than those of the control group by comparing the result of the pre-post test in ability component.
Third, based on the result of the pre-post test in behavior component, the experimental group showed higher score than the control group in the level of career exploration and ready-action. This result suggests a tendency for the effectiveness of the career program.
As a result, we find that the career investigation program for the third graders in middle school has a great influence on their career maturity.
The study has several limitations. First, it is important to consider when the program is administrated to students. Second, it will be necessary to develop various ways for effective career education through the use of the Internet and diverse measurement instruments.