The objectives of this study were to devise testing procedures for identification of contributing factors in career development problems believed to be prevalent in southern Appalachia and in particular, Wyoming County, West Virginia; to identify career development problems unique to students in this region; and to define and analyze interrelating factors. It was hoped that this study could add to a body of research which might be utilized to understand the unique southern Appalachian student and his career development needs. / Ed. D.

Over the last twenty years women have gradually entered number of occupations that have been considered "traditionally male". Despite recent gains, women continue to be underrepresented in science, mathematics and engineering career fields. Based on the application of Bandura's self-efficacy theory as applied to career development, the purpose of this study was to determine whether there was any difference in career choice self-efficacy, career decision-making self-efficacy or career maturity after participating in one of two performance-based research programs, specifically, a community-based mentorship program or a school-based research program. In addition the study investigated gender and personality differences between the groups, the student and mentor/supervisor perceptions of the quality and enjoyment of the experience, the quantitative application, the time involved and ways to improve the programs. The quasi-experimental study used a non-randomized control-group pretest-posttest design with two experimental groups and one control group. To determine the reliability and validity of the student perception instrument and the mentor/supervisor validation assessment, a pilot study was conducted. The groups were pre and post tested using the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale, the Career Development Inventory and the Self-Efficacy for Technical/Scientific Fields Scale. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with PSAT scores and grade point averages serving as covariates. The results of the study found no differences in gain scores between the experiential programs and ordinary maturation. However, students in the mentorship program felt more positive about their mentor, the scientific/technical nature of the experience, and the application and enjoyment of the program than did the school-based group. The groups differed generally on the judging/perceiving characteristic of the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator scale. Gender differences were found in time supervisors spent with students: whereas, mentors spent over twice as much time helping females, school-based teachers spent twice as much time with males. Recommendations include further validation of self-efficacy measures, further investigation of the effectiveness of self-efficacy based interventions, and replication with more diverse and special populations as well as with elementary and junior high school students. / Ed. D.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of career choice, self concept, and grade level to the work value orientation of black females. More specifically, the study tested the extent to which the relationship among these variables could be shown to exist among a population of females enrolled in inner city vocational schools. An extensive review of the literature indicated the possibility of determining potential satisfaction of students in specific vocational areas by analyzing some of the basic internal characteristics of the individual while he or she is still in the school environment. In addition, the literature revealed that if vocational educators, in particular, are aware of certain basic characteristics about youth, it is likely that the youth could be helped to become better prepared for the world of work in terms of the personal meaning and value that work is capable of bringing to their lives. Further, it was found that many of the studies which have been conducted have been done so from a theoretical basis using a specific segment of the population--white middle class males. Research findings therefore, have indicated conflicting views relative to basic characteristics of other groups, i.e., their self concepts, their work value orientations, their satisfaction with work. Of particular interest have been black females who often experience both sex and race discrimination and who face a double disadvantage in the career choice process. Based on the literature review, this study was initiated to compare samples of black females in three traditionally female vocational areas and at three grade levels by using their mean scores on Part II of the <i>Meaning and Value of Work Scale</i> and the total positive score of the <i>Tennessee Self Concept Scale</i>. The population consisted of black females enrolled in Health Occupations, Occupational Home Economics, and Business and Office Education in the Career Development Centers of the District of Columbia Public Schools. Two hundred fifty nine subjects participated in the study. Null hypotheses were formulated to determine the relationships between the one dependent variable (work value orientation) and the three independent variables (career choice, self concept, and grade level). A factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure was utilized to analyze the data; level of significance was set at .05. Where there were significant F values obtained by the ANOVA procedure, the Newman-Keuls post hoc test was used to determine which differences contributed to the significance. The results of the study revealed that black females enrolled in inner city vocational schools do not clearly indicate tendencies toward either an extrinsic or intrinsic work value orientation. However, there were individual students who distinctly indicated tendencies toward either extreme of the continuum. In addition, the self concepts of the students were found to be below the norm for the instrument used. However, using the norm of the sample group, it was found that their self concepts fell within an average range. Differences were found in the female's work value orientation on career choice, self concept, and grade level. The post hoc test revealed specific differences in work value orientation of females in home economics, indicating their tendencies toward a more extrinsic work value orientation than the other two groups. Further, the test revealed that females with high self concepts and those in grade 12 tended to differ significantly in terms of work value orientation from the others. These females indicated tendencies toward an intrinsic work value orientation. Results of the interaction of career choice by grade level, grade level by self concept, and career choice by grade level by self concept failed to reject the null hypotheses. However, the test of the interaction of career choice and self concept did result in the rejection of null hypothesis. / Ed. D.

The discovery of the variables that impact on the career aspirations of children is important in the development of effective programs and interventions. These variables can also serve as a basis to provide equal opportunities and to promote diversity in the work place. This study was driven by three primary areas of investigation. First, it sought to discover the perceived gender characteristics of selected occupations held by a group of children. Second, it sought to investigate in what ways the occupational patterns within the families of these children related to their perceptions of occupational gender characteristics. Third, it sought to explore in what ways the occupational preferences of these children related to their perceptions of occupational gender characteristics. A qualitative research design using multiple-case studies was utilized. Participants were selected from a pool of 76 fifth-grade students from a suburban elementary school. A purposive sample of 11 boys and 10 girls was selected from this pool for in-depth study. A structured interview schedule was the main source of data collection. Data analysis was based on the tenets of the grounded theory approach. This study revealed that these children assigned gender characteristics to occupations based on their underlying views of the meaning and character of femininity and masculinity. The occupational patterns in the families of these children were traditionally sex-typed and the boys perpetuated that pattern by selecting traditional occupations for themselves. The boys selected occupations which were congruent with their views of masculinity. Several of the girls broke away from the traditional sex-typed occupations of their mothers and aspired to nontraditional occupations. The girls who broke the traditional patterns were cognizant of the dominant social views and practices regarding gender-appropriate occupations. Nonetheless, they were undeterred in stating their aspirations of traditionally male occupations. / Ed. D.

The study was designed to provide further empirical data on the career anchor construct. An individual in todays times is likely to make more than one career choice. If the career anchor construct can be used to accurately predict a person environment fit, the construct could prove useful as a diagnostic tool for midcareer individuals. In the study, 300 midcareer employees (managerial and non-managerial) completed questionnaires etermining their dominant career anchor, domi.nant perception of occupational type and levels of general, intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction. Specific aims of the study were, firstly, to determine whether in midcareer there is a relation between career anchor and occupational type (For the purposes of the study, occupational type was measured in terms of the individuals perception of the main aspect that dominates his occupation) and secondly, to determine whether there is a difference in general, intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction between midcareer employees with a fit between career anchor and occupational type and midcareer employees with no such fit. Results of the study indicated a significant relation between career anchor and occupational type for the total sample as well as for the managerial and the non-managerial groups, for almost all of the eight career anchors. A significantly higher level of general and intrinsic job satisfaction was found for the fit group than for the non-fit group, however no such difference was found in extrinsic job satisfaction. No significant differences were found between the managerial and non­ managerial groups. On the basis of the results the conclusion can be made that the career anchor construct can be used effectively to assist midcareer managers and non-managers to make career choices. Career choices based on a fit between career anchor and occupational type are likely to yield a higher level ofeneral and intrinsic job satisfaction. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / MCom (Industrial Psychology)

Vocational interest is a dynamic, subjective, positive attraction towards a job, occupa tion or occupational field, based on the individual's perception of the structure of occupations and situations already experienced or expected to produce pleasurable feelings. Interest test tields are usually statistically derived from characteristics of individuals. This study develops and validates an interest test based on the perceived occupationaI structure. After examining various classification models and occupational classification systems, including work by Holland, Gati and Roe, a new network access model was pro­posed, based on many-to-many correspondence in set theory. Categories are arranged on levels. Choice of a category on one level precludes access to another category on the sanK level, but does not restrict access to categories on other levels. It was hypothesised that occupational structure is perceived to consist of the three levels of lields, environments and duties. Each category is a horizontal sirus group and includes all vertical status levels. Career choice is based on preferences at each level. 1200 jobs have been classified by allocation to one category on each level, and each is described by a field, environment and duty. The field-environment-duty (FED) system was operationalised in a ten minute interest test asking testees to choose from each level the three categories that interest them for a job. Extensive use was made of x to the power of 2 and empty sets to the power of two statistics in analysing nominal measurement scores. The FED test was applied to 1280 school-leavers in Gauteng, South Africa. Research supports Gati's division of occupations into "soft" (people-oriented occupations preferred by females), and "hard" (not-people-oriented occupations preferred by males), and introduces a third "neutral" division which is preferred equally by both males and females. Construct and concurrent validity was shown with the I 9Fll, VIQ, SDS and l6PF. In a four to five year longitudinal study the FED was found to predict future studies (80%) and occupation (86%). Research with working adults found that the FED test predicts concurrent job satisfaction, job tenure and self-assessed performance. Inter-rater reliability in assigning jobs to categories is around 80%. Test-retest reliability was significant to the 0,0001 level using the x to the power of 2 goodness of fit test. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D.Com. (Industrial Psychology)

The choice of a career is an important decision that a person has to make in his life. The purpose of this study was to identify factors at play at the time that learners' have to commit themselves to chosen career paths. From the literature it became,evident that there exists an interplay between personal and situational factors. This interplay results in the formation of a certain identity which is later actualised in a chosen career. The empirical study revealed that factors like the type of school attended, the school curriculum the socio-economic location of the school and the availability of guidance services played an important role in the choice of a career. Family factors and other factors such as prestige and remuneration were also influential. It appeared however that the level of a learner's career maturity would be a major factor influencing career identity formation, choice and subsequent satisfaction. / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Een van die belangrike besluite wat In mens moet maak in sy lewe is die van In beroepskeuse. Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was om die faktore te identifiseer wat In rol speel gedurende die tyd wanneer leerders hulself verbind tot In gekose loopbaan. Uit die literatuur blyk dit dot daar In wisselwerking best a an tussen persoonlikeen omstandigheidsfaktore. Hierdie wisselwerking lei tot die vorming van In sekere identiteit wat later verwesenlik word in In gekose beroep. Die empiriese ondersoek toon dot faktore soos die tipe skool bygewoon, die kurrikulum, die sosio-ekonomiese ligging van die skool en die beskikbaarheid van voorligtingsdienste In belangrike rol gespeel het in die keuse van In beroep. Gesinsfaktore en onder faktore soos aansien en vergoeding het ook 'n rol gespeel. Dit het veral geblyk dot die vlak van die leerder se beroepsvolwassenheid In aansienlike faktor was wat beroepsidentiteitsvorming, keuse en die daaropvolgende beroepsbevrediging, be'invloed het. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (guidance and Counselling)

Anyone desiring to qualify as an accountant or auditor is required to pass an examination as approved by the Public Accountants' and Auditors' Board to establish whether candidates have attained the required standard of academic knowledge in terms of the syllabi laid down by the Board, as well as whether they are able to apply that knowledge in practice (P AAB, 1995). However each year many students fail this very important examination. The reasons for this are not clear and the purpose of this research is to determine whether: personality; vocational interests; intelligence; matriculation Mathematics and home language (English/ Afrikaans) results, predict success in the QE, by comparing a group of successful and unsuccessful QE candidates. The logistic regression, discriminant analysis and t-test statistical procedures, indicated that: warmth (A), liveliness (F), rule-consciousness (G), social boldness (H), apprehension (0), self-reliance (Q2), perfectionism (Q3), tension (Q4), computational interest, social services interest, mechanical interest, Mental Alertness and matriculation home language, are significant factors to consider when identifying candidates likely to be successful in the QE. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / MCOM (Industrial Psychology)

Holland's theory of vocational personalities and work environments incorporates four theoretical constructs (congruence, consistency, differentiation and identity) which attempt to explain sources in variability of achievement and satisfaction among employed adults and college students. This study sought to: (1) investigate the relationship of Holland's constructs to academic achievement and educational satisfaction of undergraduate music majors; (2) investigate differences in all variables according to gender and degree major. Data were collected from undergraduate music majors (N = 100) enrolled at the University of North Texas using the Vocational Preference Inventory. Mv Vocational Situation. and the Music Major Satisfaction Questionnaire. Reliability for the Music Major Satisfaction Questionnaire was estimated at .92 using Cronbach's coefficient alpha. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients indicated that: (1) congruence was significantly related to academic achievement and educational satisfaction; (2) identity was significantly related to academic achievement and educational satisfaction; (3) consistency was significantly related to academic achievement, but not to educational satisfaction; (4) differentiation was significantly related to academic achievement, but not to educational satisfaction. Multiple regression using a stepwise entry method indicated that: (1) the identity construct was the best predictor of educational satisfaction scores; (2) identity was the best predictor of academic achievement scores. The results of the study suggested: (1) it is unlikely that any single theory accounts for all dimensions of variability in achievement among college music majors. To arrive at a comprehensive model of achievement, it will be necessary to utilize constructs of several theories. Such a model should include Holland's constructs of identity, congruence, and possibly differentiation. (2) similarly, a comprehensive model of satisfaction should include Holland's constructs of identity and congruence. (3) Holland's classification system may distinguish among two traditionally held divisions of college music majors, performance majors and education majors. (4) music education majors and music performance majors differ on the social dimension of their vocational personalities.

The choice of a career is an important decision that a person has to make in his life. The purpose of this study was to identify factors at play at the time that learners' have to commit themselves to chosen career paths. From the literature it became,evident that there exists an interplay between personal and situational factors. This interplay results in the formation of a certain identity which is later actualised in a chosen career. The empirical study revealed that factors like the type of school attended, the school curriculum the socio-economic location of the school and the availability of guidance services played an important role in the choice of a career. Family factors and other factors such as prestige and remuneration were also influential. It appeared however that the level of a learner's career maturity would be a major factor influencing career identity formation, choice and subsequent satisfaction. / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Een van die belangrike besluite wat In mens moet maak in sy lewe is die van In beroepskeuse. Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was om die faktore te identifiseer wat In rol speel gedurende die tyd wanneer leerders hulself verbind tot In gekose loopbaan. Uit die literatuur blyk dit dot daar In wisselwerking best a an tussen persoonlikeen omstandigheidsfaktore. Hierdie wisselwerking lei tot die vorming van In sekere identiteit wat later verwesenlik word in In gekose beroep. Die empiriese ondersoek toon dot faktore soos die tipe skool bygewoon, die kurrikulum, die sosio-ekonomiese ligging van die skool en die beskikbaarheid van voorligtingsdienste In belangrike rol gespeel het in die keuse van In beroep. Gesinsfaktore en onder faktore soos aansien en vergoeding het ook 'n rol gespeel. Dit het veral geblyk dot die vlak van die leerder se beroepsvolwassenheid In aansienlike faktor was wat beroepsidentiteitsvorming, keuse en die daaropvolgende beroepsbevrediging, be'invloed het. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (guidance and Counselling)