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Senior high students’ career plans for the future: outcomes of the comprehensive career needs survey in Southern Alberta, Canada

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Abstract

The Comprehensive Career Needs Survey was used to assess the career plans of senior high students in Southern Alberta, Canada. This article examines senior high student perceptions regarding (a) their future plans; (b) confidence in attaining their career goals, (c) importance of remaining in their community; and (d) where they anticipate working. The majority of respondents planned to combine full time education with part time work, were confident in achieving their career plans, and anticipated finding work in their country. Results indicate a need for programs addressing career decision making and combining education and work experience.

Résumé

Plans de carrière des étudiants de fin du secondaire: résultats du Comprehensive Career Needs Survey dans l’Alberta du Sud, Canada. Le Comprehensive Career Needs Survey a été utilisé pour évaluer les plans de carrière d’étudiants de fin du secondaire dans l’Alberta du Sud, Canada. Cet article examine les perceptions d’étudiants de fin du secondaire concernant (a) leurs plans d’avenir; (b) leur degré de confiance dans l’atteinte de leurs buts de carrière; (c) l’importance qu’ils accordent au fait de rester dans leur communauté et (d) où ils prévoient de travailler. La majorité de répondants prévoient de combiner des études à temps plein et un travail à mi-temps, ont confiance dans la réalisation de leurs plans de carrière et anticipent de trouver du travail dans leur pays. Les résultats indiquent un besoin de programmes aidant à la prise de décision de carrière et combinant études et expérience professionnelle.

Zusammenfassung

Berufspläne für die Zukunft bei Oberstufenschülern: Ergebnisse der umfassenden Studie zu Laufbahnbedürfnissen in Süd-Alberta, Kanada. Die Umfassende Studie zu Laufbahnbedürfnissen wurde zur Beurteilung der Berufspläne von Oberstufenschülern in Süd-Alberta, Kanada, verwendet. Dieser Artikel untersucht die Erwartungen von Oberstufenschülern im Hinblick auf (a) ihre Zukunftspläne, (b) ihre Zuversicht, die beruflichen Ziele zu erreichen, (c) die Bedeutung des Verbleibs in der Wohngemeinde, und (d) die Erwartungen bezüglich des zukünftigen Arbeitsortes. Die Mehrheit der Befragungsteilnehmer beabsichtigt, Vollzeit-Bildungsgänge mit Teilzeit-Arbeitsstellen zu kombinieren, war zuversichtlich bezüglich der Erreichbarkeit der eigenen beruflichen Ziele, und erwartete eine Arbeit im eigenen Land zu finden. Die Ergebnisse weisen auf einen Bedarf für Programme zur Unterstützung bei der Berufswahlentscheidung sowie zur Unterstützung bei der Kombination von Bildung und Arbeitserfahrung hin.

Resumen

Planes de Futuro de Alumnos de Último Curso de Secundaria: Resultados de la Encuesta de Necesidades de la Carrera en Alberta del Sur, Canada. La Encuesta Integrada de Necesidades Profesionale/se utilizó para evaluar los planes de carrera de alumnos de Último curso de secundaria en la provincia de Alberta del Sur, Canadá. Este artículo analiza las respuestas de los estudiantes respecto a: (a) sus planes futuros después de la secundaria; (b) su nivel de confianza respecto a encontrar la ocupación que quieren, obtener la formación necesaria, y encontrar trabajo en la ocupación elegida; (c) la importancia de encontrar trabajo en su comunidad; y (d) dónde anticipan trabajar una vez elegida una ocupación. La mayoría de los estudiantes tenían pensado combinar formación a tiempo completo con trabajo a tiempo parcial, confiaban en alcanzar sus metas profesionales, y anticipaban encontrar trabajo en su propio país. Los resultados indican la necesidad de que los programas de orientación aborden la toma de decisiones profesionales y la compatibilización entre formación y trabajo.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada

    Kim D. Witko, Kerry B. Bernes, Kris C. Magnusson & Angela D. Bardick

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  1. Kim D. Witko
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  2. Kerry B. Bernes
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  3. Kris C. Magnusson
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  4. Angela D. Bardick
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Correspondence to Kerry B. Bernes.

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Witko, K.D., Bernes, K.B., Magnusson, K.C. et al. Senior high students’ career plans for the future: outcomes of the comprehensive career needs survey in Southern Alberta, Canada. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 6, 77–94 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-006-9103-3

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