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School based experiences as contributors to career decision-making: findings from a cross-sectional survey of high-school students

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Abstract

This paper is based on a study examining the impact of young people’s backgrounds and educational experiences on career choice capability with the aim of informing education policy. A total of 706 students from secondary schools (Years 9–12) in New South Wales, Australia took part in an online survey. This paper focuses on the differences found between groups on the basis of their educational experiences. Participants who were uncertain of their future career plans were more likely to attend non-selective, non-metropolitan schools and were more likely to hold negative attitudes towards school. Career ‘uncertain’ students were also less likely to be satisfied with the elective subjects offered at their school and reported less access to career education sessions. It is concluded that timely career information and guidance should be provided to students and their families in order to allow them to more meaningfully make use of the resources and opportunities available to them with a view toward converting these into real world benefits.

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Notes

  1. Whilst applications to conduct research in Catholic schools were submitted to several Catholic dioceses, approval was not granted.

  2. This difference between year groups does not account for significant differences between career certain and uncertain groups.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education, Faculty of Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Rm 807, Building C3A, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia

    Natal’ya Galliott

  2. Faculty of Education, School of Cultural & Professional Learning, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Rm 326, A Block, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, QLN, 4059, Australia

    Linda J. Graham

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  1. Natal’ya Galliott
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  2. Linda J. Graham
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Correspondence to Natal’ya Galliott.

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Galliott, N., Graham, L.J. School based experiences as contributors to career decision-making: findings from a cross-sectional survey of high-school students. Aust. Educ. Res. 42, 179–199 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-015-0175-2

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