An examination of selected factors influencing the career decisions of Aboriginal university students

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Date
2006
Authors
Grygo, Marta
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2006
Abstract
This study documents and analyses Aboriginal post-secondary students' perceptions of selected influences on their career development and planning. Six areas are examined: 1) parental influence; 2) teacher influence; 3) peer influence; 4) ethnic and gender expectations; 5) academic self-efficacy; and 6) the role of negative social events. A questionnaire based on the Career Interest Inventory (Fisher & Stafford, 1999) was administered to 150 undergraduate students. Three factors were significant for this population: 1) positive influence in the form of support from parents, teachers, peers, and students' academic experiences and self-efficacy; 2) negative social events in the context of having friends in trouble with the law, addictions, teen pregnancy, indifference to schooling, dropping out of high school, and deaths of friends; and 3) ethnic and gender expectations emanating from parents and teachers. Based on these findings, directions for further research, and implications for counselors and educators, are outlined.
Description
viii, 63 leaves ; 29 cm.
Keywords
Career development , Vocational guidance , Indigenous peoples -- Vocational guidance , Indigenous college students -- Vocational guidance , Dissertations, Academic
Citation