This study reports on the occupational choices of 87 individuals with learning disabilities, who had successfully completed Grade 12 between 1996 and 2001 at a long-term remedial school, in a city suburb in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province of South Africa. The sample consisting of 54 males and 33 females between the ages of 18 and 26 years was divided into two age-cohort groups. The main question that guided this investigation was: What are the factors that influenced occupational choices of adults with learning disabilities? Career development theories were used as a lens to understand the various factors that influenced their occupational choices and the systems theory was used as an overarching framework to conceptualise the occupational choices of these individuals. In attempting to capture how individuals with learning disabilities make occupational choices, a combination of two research methods were employed in a complimentary manner. Quantitative data was gathered from individuals in the sample using a telephonic questionnaire. This data was used to provide the study with baseline information to pave the way for more in-depth data gathering. The quantitative research method using face-to-face interviews was used to develop narrative career stories. Data from narrative career stories was used with the intention of understanding the factors that influenced the occupational choices from a broad social and historical context. Evidence from the data revealed that a significant number of participants were employed in the service sector in predominantly part-time, low-skill, low-wage positions such as waiters, waitresses, clerical workers, salespersons and secretaries. Gender differences were apparent with more females being employed than males. In recent years an increasing number of males from the younger age cohort were pursuing studies at colleges and technikons. Very few females aspired towards further education. The data also revealed that many individuals continued to live with their parents and were dependent on them for financial and emotional support. The study concludes with recommendations to individuals with learning disabilities, parents, education departments, employers and future researchers. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2003.

This study aimed at investigating African students' perceptions of careers guidance in African schools. It aimed at determining the extent to which students viewed careers guidance and the effectiveness to which careers guidance programmes in schools have been able to assist them to make informed career decisions and choices. Literature reviewed revealed that careers guidance services were inadequate in schools due to the legacies of the apartheid era. As a result a lot of school leavers found themselves unable to make occupational choices. The relevance of careers guidance in relation to career development theories argues that a holistic approach to careers guidance in African schools is important because of a variety of factors (personal, situational and developmental) which influence career decisions and choices. Also, the negative views held by teachers and learners of careers guidance greatly impacts on its success. The study drew its data from a sample of University of Zululand students enrolled in the faculties of Arts, Education, Commerce and Administration, Law and Science. The research used a questionnaire with closed-ended questions to elicit the data required. The questionnaire focussed on the importance of careers guidance, effectiveness of careers guidance programmes in career decision making and choices, and the influence parents have on career decisions and choices. The study also tested the relationship between students' perceptions of careers guidance and the variables of gender, family composition, and degree registered at the university. The findings revealed that students perceived careers guidance to be important. However, careers guidance is perceived by students as having been ineffective in helping them make informed career decisions and choices. Parents were also found not to have been influential in career decisions and choices of their children. The study also revealed significant differences between males and females, single and both parent families, and the different degrees registered. Females were found to be more wanting of careers guidance than males. Students from single parent families were found to rely more on the school than the home for careers guidance as opposed to both parent students. Females found parents to have been more influential in their career decisions and choices than males who considered parents unimportant in influencing career decisions and choices. The implications of the findings were that careers guidance programmes ineffectively enhance learners' career development. As a result they are unable to make sound career decisions and choices. Learners' decisions and choices may still be influenced by gender, family and academic constructs. It is recommended that careers guidance be enforced in schools and given equal status to the other subjects . Relevant careers guidance programmes which are context specific and related to the job market are also an absolute necessity for learners. Only effective careers guidance programmes would lead to effective career decisions and choices. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

The present study investigated the career maturity levels of student-athletes as compared to non-athletes with a special professional athletic aspirations of male athletes as well as consistency of match between their career expectations and choice of college majors. The sample included 101 male college football and basketball players and 76 male non-athletes from a Division IA university in the Midwest. The participants were given the Career Maturity Inventory (Crites, 1995) and an author-generated demographic questionnaire which covered topics such as age, race, year in school, and career plans.Five research hypotheses were examined: (1) More athletes would choose majors inconsistent with their career expectations than would choose consistent majors. The results did not support this hypothesis, x2 (2, N = 101) = 3.347, p = .188. (2) Athletes who reported a consistent match between their college major and career choice would have higher levels of career maturity than their less consistent counterparts. No significant differences were found when comparing consistency and career maturity levels (F = .144, p = .866). (3) White athletes would choose majors which were more consistent with their interests and values than would their Black counterparts. The results did not support this hypothesis (F = .381, p = .539). (4) As a group, male athletes emphasis on racial differences. The study also investigated the would display lower levels of career maturity when compared to their non-athletic counterparts. The results did indicate that the career maturity levels of athletes were not as developed as those of non-athletes in relation to the planning skills needed for effective career decision-making (F = 11.03, p < .001). However, both sets of scores were above the possible mean scores of the instrument, indicating that the athletes in this sample were less mature than the comparison group of non-athletes but not immature in terms of the overall possible mean scores. (5) A significant percentage of male student-athletes would report expectations for entering the professional sports arena. Athletes were found to have high expectations for obtaining a professional sports career (i.e., National Football League or National Basketball Association), with higher percentages of Black athletes (77.3%) than White athletes (22.7%) endorsing such expectations.The conclusions drawn from the research demonstrated that athletes may be at a slight disadvantage in an area critical to the education process. This disadvantage may prevent them from developing alternative career options should a professional sports career not come to fruition. Placing the athletes in some type of comprehensive career intervention program upon entering college may be helpful in raising the athletes' career planning skills to that of their non-athlete counterparts, giving them a wider range of options upon graduation. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The present study considered the relationships between internal working models of adult attachment, satisfaction with social supports, and career decision self efficacy. Theoretical support was found within the context of Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986) and Attachment Theory (Bowiby, 1 973 ; Hazen & Shaver, 1994). A conceptual model was proposed and tested using structural equation modeling to answer the research questions: is there a relationship between secure internal working models of attachment and career decision self efficacy, and if so, is the relationship between secure internal working models of attachment and career decision self efficacy partially mediated by satisfaction with social supports? A third research question was considered: are men and women similar in how they experience internal working models of attachment, satisfaction with social supports, and career decision self efficacy? Participants included 663 college-aged students (457 women; 206 men) from two Midwestern universities, with most being in their first or second year of college (72% freshmen/sophomores; 28% juniors or above). Alternate models for men and women were proposed and a multi-group analysis was conducted to determine if groups were similar. Results indicated that the groups were similar. Models were then combined for a comprehensive model representing both men and women. Findings indicated that there was a direct relationship between secure internal working models of attachment and career decision self efficacy and an indirect relationship that was partially mediated by satisfaction with social supports. Theoretical, research, and practice implications are discussed, as well as methodological limitations to the study. Future directions are offered. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences graduate students in student affairs administration programs had that inspired them to begin a Masters degree program in student affairs administration as well as what they did as undergraduates to prepare themselves for graduate work. A portion of the study focused on the role mentors played for student affairs administration graduate students as they explored the field.One hundred and one student affairs administration graduate students from four midwestern institutions completed a sixty item on-line survey. It was found the students had experiences as undergraduates which directly related to their graduate assistantship and mentors played an important role in multiple ways as the students' explored of the field of student affairs administration. Recommendations for assisting undergraduates interested in pursuing a student affairs administration were presented. / Department of Educational Leadership

This study used a survey to look for significant gender differences in the career experiences of doctoral graduates from one counseling psychology program. The following areas were examined: income, employment patterns, professional self-view, motivational values, and satisfaction. The participants in this study were 135 doctoral graduates (93 males and 42 females) who graduated over a 23 year period (1968-1990) from a counseling psychology program at a mid-size midwestern state university. They completed a four page, 34 item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and describe the data; and analyses of variance, analyses of covariance, chi square tests of significance, and t-tests for means were used to test for significant differences.There were gender differences in the career experiences of counseling psychologists in this study. Male counseling psychologists earned larger salaries and larger total annual income than female counseling psychologists. Females were more likely than males to work part-time-only and males worked more hours than females. However, gender differences in salary and income remained after controlling for the number of hours worked. Experience, defined as the number of years since graduation, was not a factor in income differences, as there were no differences between early and late graduates. There was a tendency for proportionately more women than men to be employed in community mental health centers. Males published more articles than females. Males attached more importance to the motivational value "making a lot of money" and there was a tendency for more males than females to see themselves as scientist-practitioners and for more females to see themselves as practitioners. Both males and females were satisfied with their training and their careers. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

This study had a dual objective. The first was to determine which factors influenced the career choice of girls and the second whether• their• actual choices coincided with their aptitudes. Socialization has a direct influence on the identification of girls with their careers. From an early age their behaviour is in line with the traditional roles (femininity, attractiveness, etc.) which society holds up to them. This is also true about occupations regarded as being suitable for girls. Girls therefore tend to choose their careers from a limited sphere. The style of parents' upbringing of their children also has an influence on the development of a girl's sex role identity, and therefore her career orientation. The peer group, especially male friends, has a tremendous influence during adolescence on the formation of a girl's sex role identity and career orientation. Pressure from the peer group tends to make girls feel that popularity and attractiveness are more important than academic achievement and high professional aspirations. It also appears that teachers do not play a significant role in the career orientation of girls. The influence of television on the career orientation of girls can be traced back to the influence on the patterns of interest of television viewers. It emerges that television programmes represent sex roles in a stereotyped manner. Through that, patterns of interest in the fields of "Social work" and "Practical-female" (19-Field Interest Questionnaire) are reinforced. School counsellors do not have a big influence on the career choices of girls. Boys and girls both regard the aspects of interest highly in making a choice of career. Girls tend, however, to give high credence to the rendering of service and to welfare. Boys tend to look more strongly at good income and good opportunities for promotion. The training of girls is directed more at the development of aptitudes in a field in the Humanities, in secretarial and clerking positions. The result of this is that girls mostly follow a domestic, caring and administrative course of study. The career values of girls and their self-image have a negative influence on their career orientation. This leads to the situation that fear of success inhibits them from developing their full professional potential. Other factors, such as manpower shortages, economic and political conditions, the improvement of the level of education and professional knowledge separately or in conjunction, have an influence on girls' career preferences and expectations. For the purposes of this study the Senior Aptitude Test, professional profiles identified with the aid of the Senior Aptitude Test and a questionnaire were used. Three aspects are covered by the questionnaire: * Field of study * Career expectations * Choice of career All the Afrikaans-speaking matriculants of four Afrikaans-medium high schools in a particular metropolitan area participated in the project. The data were statistically processed with an SAS computer programme. Fields of study and aptitudes of the study group do not correlate. Most respondents' strongest aptitudes are in the Humanities, while they are in fact following courses in the field of Economics. Most respondents are of the opinion that there are adequate work opportunities for white girls in the RSA, but feel that career counselling did not make adequate provision for girls. The study group are of the opinion that girls can do traditionally male jobs. There is a fair amount of uncertainty, however, about the professional future of white girls in a changing RSA. Professional training is thus regarded as being very important. More than half of the group (67,2%) expert to marry and still to have a career. Most of the respondents (176 out of 277) have made a fin3l career choice. The reason why the rest have not made career choices could largely be attributed to too little knowledge about careers. Five careers, viz. secretarial, teaching, nursing, social work and clerking, represent the largest percentage (35,4%) of the study group's career choices. The study group mainly made their choices on their own volition, and most parents are satisfied with their daughters' choices of career. Training is essential for most careers, mainly at universities and technikons. Too little knowledge of careers and financial considerations gave rise to the fact that some respondents (71 out of 277) planned to study later. In the consideration of the results of the investigation, the following conclusions could be reached: The process of socialization still holds up the caring role, service and femininity to girls as the ideal. In that way girls' aptitudes in the fields of the Humanities and in medicine are reinforced. In spite of that, the greatest percentage of girls followed a commercial course. The conclusion that is reached is that they feel "safe" in this field of study, because the traditional expectation is that they will go and work as a typist or a secretary. Girls therefore choose a field of study in Standard seven which is not in line with their aptitudes. It emerges that girls do not receive adequate counselling in Standard seven, and that being a secretary or a teacher is still held up to them by die Guidance teacher. The career choices of the study group therefore correlate with their fields of study, but not with their aptitudes. The conclusion that can be reached is that a large percentage of the study group would seem to have made an unrealistic choice of career, probably because they did this from a limited professional awareness. This can probably be ascribed to the traditional values and roles held for girls. Other conclusions which emerge from this study: * The respondents are not properly informed about the changes occurring in the RSA. * The study group dispose of too little information about professional training, although they seem to be aware of its importance. * Girls want to move away from the traditional sex role of wife and mother, and want to reconcile career and marriage. * Most respondents do not dispose of adequate self- knowledge to come to a realistic choice of career without some supportive action. * The female work force in South Africa is very valuable and an important source of executive and highly qualified manpower which should not be neglected. The place which women fill in the career world and its implications should enjoy special attention in school guidance. It is especially necessary that girls be made aware of their career potential but also of career options and problems. A school guidance teacher should take note of the fact that girls' career orientation is different from that of boys, and should adjust the counselling programme accordingly. One cannot, therefore, have the same programme for boys and girls. If it should be accepted that the role of woman in the business world is important, it is essential that career and course guidance in school be improved on an ongoing basis. Such improvement can only take place if the process of career counselling makes provision for the dynamic as well as the scientific dimensions of career choice and career development of girls in particular. The career orientation of girls is a lifelong process. It goes much further than mere career counselling. It is comprehensive, encompassing the girl in her totality. It also points to co-ordinated planning by all persons and institutions involved. It is only in this way that the optimal utilization of available manpower in its full implications can be attained. / Skripsie (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1988

The purpose of the study was to determine the management of learner counselling at LHS. The little information on career counselling in post-apartheid South Africa as most information dates back to the Bophuthatswana era. Data was gathered through questionnaires and interviews. These were used to determine management of student counselling in the areas of: number of learners in class, availability of career counselling, and the importance of career counselling, parental involvement and departmental and community involvement in the education of learners. The response from the sample under study indicated that there is no active participation in the management of career counselling by all the stakeholders. Departmental involvement. is urgent, as more learners leave school, not ready and unarmed with relevant and important information. It is recommended that career counselling be a compulsory subject. The introduction of career counselling mechanisms will guide the school counsellor in identifying the needs of the learners, thus eliminating problems that may be encountered. This can be attained by the creation of more posts for school counsellors by the Department of Education. The counsellor at times lacks the necessary information, training and support from the education department to guide learners. A lack of career canters further exacerbates poor counselling in schools. / (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2006

This study had a dual objective. The first was to determine which factors influenced the career choice of girls and the second whether• their• actual choices coincided with their aptitudes. Socialization has a direct influence on the identification of girls with their careers. From an early age their behaviour is in line with the traditional roles (femininity, attractiveness, etc.) which society holds up to them. This is also true about occupations regarded as being suitable for girls. Girls therefore tend to choose their careers from a limited sphere. The style of parents' upbringing of their children also has an influence on the development of a girl's sex role identity, and therefore her career orientation. The peer group, especially male friends, has a tremendous influence during adolescence on the formation of a girl's sex role identity and career orientation. Pressure from the peer group tends to make girls feel that popularity and attractiveness are more important than academic achievement and high professional aspirations. It also appears that teachers do not play a significant role in the career orientation of girls. The influence of television on the career orientation of girls can be traced back to the influence on the patterns of interest of television viewers. It emerges that television programmes represent sex roles in a stereotyped manner. Through that, patterns of interest in the fields of "Social work" and "Practical-female" (19-Field Interest Questionnaire) are reinforced. School counsellors do not have a big influence on the career choices of girls. Boys and girls both regard the aspects of interest highly in making a choice of career. Girls tend, however, to give high credence to the rendering of service and to welfare. Boys tend to look more strongly at good income and good opportunities for promotion. The training of girls is directed more at the development of aptitudes in a field in the Humanities, in secretarial and clerking positions. The result of this is that girls mostly follow a domestic, caring and administrative course of study. The career values of girls and their self-image have a negative influence on their career orientation. This leads to the situation that fear of success inhibits them from developing their full professional potential. Other factors, such as manpower shortages, economic and political conditions, the improvement of the level of education and professional knowledge separately or in conjunction, have an influence on girls' career preferences and expectations. For the purposes of this study the Senior Aptitude Test, professional profiles identified with the aid of the Senior Aptitude Test and a questionnaire were used. Three aspects are covered by the questionnaire: * Field of study * Career expectations * Choice of career All the Afrikaans-speaking matriculants of four Afrikaans-medium high schools in a particular metropolitan area participated in the project. The data were statistically processed with an SAS computer programme. Fields of study and aptitudes of the study group do not correlate. Most respondents' strongest aptitudes are in the Humanities, while they are in fact following courses in the field of Economics. Most respondents are of the opinion that there are adequate work opportunities for white girls in the RSA, but feel that career counselling did not make adequate provision for girls. The study group are of the opinion that girls can do traditionally male jobs. There is a fair amount of uncertainty, however, about the professional future of white girls in a changing RSA. Professional training is thus regarded as being very important. More than half of the group (67,2%) expert to marry and still to have a career. Most of the respondents (176 out of 277) have made a fin3l career choice. The reason why the rest have not made career choices could largely be attributed to too little knowledge about careers. Five careers, viz. secretarial, teaching, nursing, social work and clerking, represent the largest percentage (35,4%) of the study group's career choices. The study group mainly made their choices on their own volition, and most parents are satisfied with their daughters' choices of career. Training is essential for most careers, mainly at universities and technikons. Too little knowledge of careers and financial considerations gave rise to the fact that some respondents (71 out of 277) planned to study later. In the consideration of the results of the investigation, the following conclusions could be reached: The process of socialization still holds up the caring role, service and femininity to girls as the ideal. In that way girls' aptitudes in the fields of the Humanities and in medicine are reinforced. In spite of that, the greatest percentage of girls followed a commercial course. The conclusion that is reached is that they feel "safe" in this field of study, because the traditional expectation is that they will go and work as a typist or a secretary. Girls therefore choose a field of study in Standard seven which is not in line with their aptitudes. It emerges that girls do not receive adequate counselling in Standard seven, and that being a secretary or a teacher is still held up to them by die Guidance teacher. The career choices of the study group therefore correlate with their fields of study, but not with their aptitudes. The conclusion that can be reached is that a large percentage of the study group would seem to have made an unrealistic choice of career, probably because they did this from a limited professional awareness. This can probably be ascribed to the traditional values and roles held for girls. Other conclusions which emerge from this study: * The respondents are not properly informed about the changes occurring in the RSA. * The study group dispose of too little information about professional training, although they seem to be aware of its importance. * Girls want to move away from the traditional sex role of wife and mother, and want to reconcile career and marriage. * Most respondents do not dispose of adequate self- knowledge to come to a realistic choice of career without some supportive action. * The female work force in South Africa is very valuable and an important source of executive and highly qualified manpower which should not be neglected. The place which women fill in the career world and its implications should enjoy special attention in school guidance. It is especially necessary that girls be made aware of their career potential but also of career options and problems. A school guidance teacher should take note of the fact that girls' career orientation is different from that of boys, and should adjust the counselling programme accordingly. One cannot, therefore, have the same programme for boys and girls. If it should be accepted that the role of woman in the business world is important, it is essential that career and course guidance in school be improved on an ongoing basis. Such improvement can only take place if the process of career counselling makes provision for the dynamic as well as the scientific dimensions of career choice and career development of girls in particular. The career orientation of girls is a lifelong process. It goes much further than mere career counselling. It is comprehensive, encompassing the girl in her totality. It also points to co-ordinated planning by all persons and institutions involved. It is only in this way that the optimal utilization of available manpower in its full implications can be attained. / Skripsie (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1988

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-35). / vii, 35 leaves, bound 29 cm