Career awareness and part-time work examined in lives of high school seniors

Braverman, M; Young, J; King, N; Paterson, C; Weisskirch, R

Career awareness and part-time work examined in lives of high school seniors

Authors

Marc T. Braverman
Jane Chin Young
Nicelma J. King
Carole A. Paterson
Robert S. Weisskirch

Authors Affiliations

M.T. Braverman is 4-H Youth Development Specialist, Department of Human and Community Development, UC Davis; J. Chin Young is 4-H Youth Development Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Marin County; N.J. King is Youth and Family Development Specialist, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis; C.A. Paterson is 4-H Youth Development Advisor, UCCE Solano County; R.S. Weisskirch is Assistant Professor, California State University, Monterey Bay. The UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources provided funding for this study.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 56(2):55-60. DOI:10.3733/ca.v056n02p55. March 2002.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

In a survey of career awareness among high school seniors in Northern California, almost all students agreed that career is an important consideration for them, and about two-thirds reported that they had decided on an occupational field. However, only about half reported that they were comfortable with their current career decision-making, had a clear idea of their own interests and abilities, or had sufficient knowledge about potential occupations. Minority students tended to express greater needs with regard to career exploration than white students. Compared to other groups, significantly fewer Latino males had made an occupational decision. Part-time work during the students' senior year did not appear to hinder school grades or school engagement. In fact, working was associated with generally higher levels of career awareness, especially regarding the importance of career planning. However, part-time work was associated with increases in reported stress levels.

References

Bachman JG, Schulenberg J. How part-time work intensity relates to drug use, problem behavior, time use, and satisfaction among high school seniors: Are these consequences or merely correlates?. Dev Psychol. 1993. 29((2)):220-35. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.29.2.220

Jones LK. Measuring a three-dimensional construct of career indecision among college students: A revision of the Vocational Decision Scale — The Career Decision Profile. J Counsel Psychol. 1989. 36((4)):477-86. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.36.4.477

Mortimer JT, Johnson MK., Borman K, Schneider B. Adolescent part-time work and educational achievement. The Adolescent Years: Social Influences and Educational Challenges; 97th yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education. 1998. Chicago: Univ Chicago Pr. p. 183-206.

Silbereisen RK, Vondracek FW, Berg LA. Differential timing of initial vocational choice: The influence of early childhood family relocation and parental support behaviors in two cultures. J Voc Behav. 1997. 50((1)):41-59. https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.1995.1526

Steinberg S, Fegley S., Dornbusch SM. Negative impact of part-time work on adolescent adjustment: Evidence from a longitudinal study. Dev Psychol. 1993. 29((2)):171-80. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.29.2.171

Vondracek FW., Lerner RM. Promoting vocational development in early adolescence. Early Adolescence: Perspectives on Research, Policy and Intervention. 1993. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. p. 277-92.

Also in this issue:

The Use of Computer-Assisted Mapping Techniques to Delineate Potential Areas of Salinity Development in soils: II. Field Verification of the Threshold Model Approach

The Use of Computer-Assisted Mapping Techniques to Delineate Potential Areas of Salinity Development in soils: I. A Conceptual Introduction

ANR helps youth prepare for world of work

Letters

Africanized bees discovered in central San Joaquin Valley

New wildlife center cleans oiled birds

4-H “national conversation” garners new ideas for youth development

Survey explores influences on youth workforce preparation

National trends inform workforce research

California Conservation Corps offers youth career development opportunities

Teen financial literacy evaluated to develop outreach materials

Long-term studies find benefits, challenges in alternative rice straw management

Repeated soil applications of fungicide reduce activity against cavity spot in carrots