Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Vocational profiles and internship quality among Portuguese VET students

  • Published:
International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The provision of workplace-based experiences (internships) is an important component of the training program for students attending vocational education courses. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between internship quality and students vocational development, considering students’ vocational profiles, in a sample of 346 twelfth grade students from southern Portugal, using a longitudinal design. Results show that internship quality is associated with the career development of students, mainly concerning the process of career exploration, and has an effect that appears to be more pronounced for some of the clusters. Implications for career intervention are discussed.

Résumé

Les profils vocationnels et la qualité des stages chez les apprentis portugais. L’introduction d’expériences en milieu professionnel (stages) est une composante importante des programmes de formation professionnelle des apprentis. Le but de cette étude était de clarifier la relation entre la qualité du stage et le développement vocationnel des apprentis, en tenant compte de leur profil vocationnel. Les données ont été recueillies à l’aide d’un dispositif longitudinal auprès d’un échantillon de 346 élèves de douzième année, provenant du sud du Portugal. Les résultats indiquent que la qualité du stage est associée au développement professionnel des apprentis, principalement au niveau du processus d’exploration de carrière. Cet effet semble être plus prononcé pour certains groupes. Les implications pour les interventions de carrière sont discutées.

Zummerfassegang

Berufsprofile und die Qualität von Praktika bei portugiesischen Jugendlichen in der beruflichen Grundbildung. Die Teilnahme an Praktika im realen Arbeitsumfeld ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil des Ausbildungsprogramms für Schüler und Schülerinnen in der beruflichen Grundbildung. Das Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, den Zusammenhang zwischen der Qualität der absolvierten Praktika und der beruflichen Entwicklung der Schüler zu untersuchen, wobei deren Berufsprofil berücksichtigt wird. Die Untersuchung basiert auf eine Stichprobe von 346 Schülern im 12. Schuljahr aus dem Süden Portugals. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Qualität der absolvierten Praktika mit der beruflichen Entwicklung der Schüler in Zusammenhang steht—insbesondere mit dem Prozess der beruflichen Exploration—und dass der Effekt für bestimmte Cluster stärker zu sein erscheint. Implikationen für berufsberaterische Interventionen werden erörtert.

Resumen

Perfiles vocacionales y calidad de las prácticas entre estudiantes de formación profesional portugueses. La oferta de experiencia laboral (prácticas) es un componente fundamental en un programa de formación para estudiantes que asisten a cursos de formación profesional. El objetivo de este estudio era clarificar la relación entre la calidad de las prácticas y el desarrollo vocacional de los estudiantes, teniendo en cuenta los perfiles vocacionales de los estudiantes, en una muestra de 346 alumnos de 12º grado (último curso de educación secundaria/formación profesional) del sur de Portugal, utilizando un diseño longitudinal. Los resultados muestran que la calidad de las prácticas se asocia con el desarrollo profesional de los estudiantes, sobre todo en lo concerniente al proceso de exploración de la carrera, y tiene un efecto que parece estar más pronunciado para algunos de los clusters. Se discuten las implicaciones del estudio en relación a la orientación para la carrera.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akos, P., Konold, T., & Niles, S. (2004). A career readiness typology and typal membership in middle school. The Career Development Quarterly, 53, 53–66. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.2004.tb00655.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alves, N., Almeida, A. J., Fontoura, M., & Alves, P. (2001). Educação e formação: análise comparativa dos sub-sistemas de qualificação profissional de nível III [Vocational education and training: comparative analysis of III level vocational paths]. Lisbon, Portugal: Observatório do Emprego e da Formação Profissional.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aryee, S., & Tan, K. (1992). Antecedents and outcomes of career commitment. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 40, 288–305. doi:10.1016/0001-8791(92)90052-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baiocco, R., Laghi, F., & D’Alessio, M. (2009). Decision-making style among adolescents: Relationship with sensation seeking and locus of control. Journal of Adolescence, 32, 963–976. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2008.08.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barling, J., & Kelloway, K. (1999). Introduction. In J. Barling & K. Kelloway (Eds.), Young workers varieties of experience (pp. 3–16). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bartley, D., & Robitschek, C. (2000). Career exploration: A multivariate analysis of predictors. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 56, 63–81. doi:10.1006/jvbe.1999.1708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Betz, N. E., Klein, K., & Taylor, K. (1996). Evaluation of a short form of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale. Journal of Career Assessment, 4, 45–57. doi:10.1177/106907279600400103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Betz, N. E., & Luzzo, D. (1996). Career assessment and the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale. Journal of Career Assessment, 4, 313–328. doi:10.1177/106907279600400405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blustein, D. L. (1997). The role of work in adolescent development. The Career Development Quarterly, 45, 381–389. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.1997.tb00541.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blustein, D. L. (2011). A relational theory of working. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 79, 1–17. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2010.10.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blustein, D. L., Ellis, M. V., & Devenis, L. E. (1989). The development and validation of a two-dimensional model of the commitment to career choice process. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 35, 342–378. doi:10.1016/0001-8791(89)90034-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blustein, D. L., Juntunen, C., & Worthington, R. (2000). The school-to-work transition: Adjustment challenges of the forgotten half. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology (pp. 435–470). New York, NY: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borges, N. (2007). Behavioral exploration of career and specialty choice in medical students. The Career Development Quarterly, 55, 351–358. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.2007.tb00089.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, L., Cornelius, A., Greefield, E., & Joseph, R. (1995). The relation of career-related work or internship experiences to the career development of college seniors. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 46, 332–349. doi:10.1006/jvbe.1995.1024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. D., & Ryan-Krane, N. E. (2000). Four (or five) sessions and a cloud of dust: Old assumptions and new observations about career counseling. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology (pp. 740–766). New York, NY: Willey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carless, S. A., & Prodan, O. (2003). The impact of practicum training on career and job search attitudes of postgraduate psychology students. Australian Journal of Psychology, 55, 89–94. doi:10.1080/00049530412331312944.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, R., & Arnold, J. (2010). Antecedents of career exploration among Hong Kong Chinese university students: Testing contextual and developmental variables. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 76, 25–36. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2009.05.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creed, P., Fallon, T., & Hood, M. (2009). The relationship between career adaptability, person and situation variables, and career concerns in young adults. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74, 219–229. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2008.12.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creed, P., & Patton, W. (2003). Differences in career attitude and career knowledge for high school students with and without paid work experience. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 3, 21–33. doi:10.1023/A:1022674528730.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flouri, E., & Buchanan, A. (2002). The role of work-related skills and career role models in adolescent career maturity. The Career Development Quarterly, 51, 36–43. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.2002.tb00590.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flum, H., & Blustein, D. L. (1999). A self-determination perspective of interests and exploration in career development. In M. Savickas & A. Spokane (Eds.), Vocational interests: Meaning, measurement and counseling use (pp. 345–368). Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flum, H., & Blustein, D. (2000). Reinvigorating the study of vocational exploration: Framework for research. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 56, 380–404. doi:10.1006/jvbe.2000.1721.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gagné, M., & Deci, E. L. (2005). Self-determination theory and work motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26, 331–362. doi:10.1002/job.322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gamboa, V. (2011). O impacto da experiência de estágio no desenvolvimento vocacional de alunos dos cursos tecnológicos e profissionais do ensino secundário [The impact of the training experience in the vocational development of students attending the technological and vocational branch in secondary education]. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Algarve, Portugal.

  • Gati, I., & Saka, N. (2001). High school student’s career-related decision-making difficulties. Journal of Counseling and Development, 79, 331–340. doi:10.1002/j.1555-6676.2001.tb01978.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Germeijs, V., & Verschueren, K. (2006). High school students’ career decision-making process: A longitudinal study of one choice. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 68, 189–204. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2005.08.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, T. (2003). Learning and work: issues for vocational and lifelong education research. European Educational Research Journal, 2(1), 1–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, T., & Guile, D. (2004). Learning through work experience for the knowledge economy. Luxembourg, Luxembourg: European Center for the Development of Vocational Training.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gushue, G., Clarke, C., Pantzer, K., & Seanlan, K. (2006). Self-efficacy, perceptions of barriers, vocational identity and the career exploration behavior of Latino high school students. The Career Development Quarterly, 54, 307–317. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.2006.tb00196.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirschi, A. (2009). Career adaptability development in adolescence: Multiple predictors and effect on sense of power and life satisfaction. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74, 145–155. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2009.01.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kenny, M. E., & Bledsoe, M. (2005). Contributions of the relational context to career adaptability among urban adolescents. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 66, 257–272. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2004.10.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larson, R., Wilson, S., & Mortimer, J. (2002). Conclusions: Adolescents’ preparation for the future. In R. Larson, B. Brown, & J. Mortimer (Eds.), Adolescents’ preparation for the future: A report of the study group on adolescence in the 21st Century (pp. 159–166). Ann Arbor, MI: Blackwell Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leney, T., & Green, A. (2005). Achieving the Lisbon goal: The contribution of vocational education and training. European Journal of Education, 40, 261–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lent, R., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (2002). Social cognitive career theory. In D. Brown & Associates (Eds.), Career choice and development (pp. 255–311). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lent, R., Hackett, G., & Brown, S. (1999). A social cognitive view of school-to-work transition. The Career Development Quarterly, 47, 297–311. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.1999.tb00739.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loughlin, C., & Barling, J. (1998). Teenagers’ part-time employment and their work-related attitude and aspirations. Journal of Organizational Behaviour, 19, 197–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroco, J. (2003). Análise estatística com utilização do SPSS [Statistical analysis with SPSS]. Lisbon, Portugal: Edições Sílabo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortimer, J., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2007). Adolescent paid work and career development. In V. B. Skorikov & W. Patton (Eds.), Career development in childhood and adolescence (pp. 255–275). Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osipow, S., Carney, C. G., Winer, J., Yanico, B., & Koschier, M. (1976). The Career Decision Scale (3rd revision). Columbus, OH: Marathon Consulting and Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osipow, S., & Winer, J. (1996). Career assessment and the Career Decision Scale. Journal of Career Assessment, 4, 117–130. doi:10.1177/106907279600400201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patton, W., & Creed, P. (2007). Theorizing adolescent career maturity: Existing evidence and directions for the future. In V. Skorikov & W. Patton (Eds.), Career development in childhood and adolescence (pp. 221–236). Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, M., Creed, P., & Glendon, I. (2008). The role of personality in adolescent career planning and exploration: A social cognitive perspective. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73, 132–142. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2008.02.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowold, J., & Staufenbiel, K. (2010). The validity of a German version of the career exploration survey. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 10, 21–34. doi:10.1007/s10775-009-9169-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R., & Deci, E. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. L. (1999). The transition from school to work: A developmental perspective. The Career Development Quarterly, 47, 326–335. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.1999.tb00741.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. L. (2005). The theory and practice of career construction. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Career development and counseling: Putting theory and research to work (pp. 42–70). Hoboken: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaap, H., Baartman, L., & Bruijn, E. (2011). Student’s learning process during school-based learning and workplace learning in vocational education: A review. Vocations and Learning, 5, 99–117. doi:10.1007/s12186-011-9069-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shanahan, M. J., Mortimer, J. T., & Kruger, H. (2002). Adolescence and adult work in the twenty-first century. In R. Larson, B. B. Brown, & J. Mortimer (Eds.), Adolescent preparation for the future: Perils and promise (pp. 99–120). Ann Arbor, MI: Society for Research on Adolescence.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silva, J. T. (1997). Dimensões da indecisão da carreira. Investigação com adolescentes [Career indecision dimensions. Research with adolescents]. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

  • Silva, J. T., & Paixão, M. P. (2005). Estudos psicométricos preliminares da Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form [Psycometric properties of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form]. Presentation at the International Association of Educational and Vocational Guidance Conference, Lisbon, Portugal.

  • Skorikov, V. (2007). Continuity in adolescent career preparation and its effects on adjustment. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 70, 8–24. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2006.04.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skorikov, V., & Vondracek, F. W. (1997). Longitudinal relationships between par-time work and career development in adolescents. The Career Development Quarterly, 45, 221–235. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.1997.tb00466.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern, D., Stone, J. R., Hopkins, C., & McMillion, M. (1990). Quality of students’ work experience and orientation toward work. Youth and Society, 22, 263–282. doi:10.1177/0044118X90022002008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stumpf, S., Colarelli, S., & Hartman, K. (1983). Development of the Career Exploration Survey (CES). Journal of Vocational Behavior, 22, 191–226. doi:10.1016/0001-8791(83)90028-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Super, D., Savickas, M. L., & Super, C. M. (1996). The life-span, life-space approach to careers. In D. Brown, L. Brooks, & Associates (Eds.), Career choice and development (pp. 121–178). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taveira, M. C. (1997). Exploração e desenvolvimento vocacional de jovens. Estudo sobre as relações entre a exploração, a identidade e a indecisão [Career exploration and vocational development]. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Minho, Portugal.

  • Van Vianen, A. E. M., De Pater, I. E., & Preenen, P. T. Y. (2008). Career management: Taking quality control of the quality of work experiences. In J. A. Athanasou & R. V. Esbroeck (Eds.), International handbook of career guidance (pp. 283–301). London, UK: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Vondracek, F. W. (1992). The construct of identity and its use in career theory and research. The Career Development Quarterly, 41, 130–144. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.1992.tb00365.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vondracek, F. W., Lerner, R., & Schulenberg, J. (1986). Career development: A life-span developmental approach. London, UK: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vondracek, F. W., & Porfeli, E. J. (2008). Social contexts for career guidance throughout the world. Developmental-contextual perspectives on career across the lifespan. In J. A. Athanasou & R. V. Esbroeck (Eds.), International handbook of career guidance (pp. 209–225). London, UK: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Watts, A. G. (1996). Experienced-based learning about work. In A. G. Watts, B. Law, J. Killeen, J. Kidd, & R. Hawthorn (Eds.), Rethinking careers education and guidance: theory, policy and practice (pp. 233–246). London, UK: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watts, A. G., Jamieson, I., & Miller, A. (1989). School-based work experience: Some international comparisons. British Journal of Education and Work, 3, 33–47. doi:10.1080/0269000890030102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal

    Vitor Gamboa & Saúl Neves de Jesus

  2. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, 3001-802, Coimbra, Portugal

    Maria Paula Paixão

Authors
  1. Vitor Gamboa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maria Paula Paixão
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Saúl Neves de Jesus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vitor Gamboa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gamboa, V., Paixão, M.P. & de Jesus, S.N. Vocational profiles and internship quality among Portuguese VET students. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 14, 221–244 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-014-9268-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-014-9268-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation