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Differences in Career Attitude and Career Knowledge for High School Students with and without Paid Work Experience

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Abstract

A large sample (N =1,279) of high school students was assessedusing the Career Maturity Inventory (CDI-A;Lokan, 1984). The two composite scales ofCareer Development Attitude and CareerDevelopment Knowledge were examined in relationto age, gender and whether the students hadengaged in paid work experience. Levels ofcareer maturity increased with age, and ingeneral, females at all age levels reportedhigher levels of maturity than males. Studentswith paid work experience reported higherlevels of Career Development Attitude thanthose with no paid work experience. CareerDevelopment Knowledge was not associated withpaid work experience. Gender differences alsooccurred, with females with paid workexperience generally reporting higher levels ofcareer maturity than males with paid workexperience. Results are discussed in adevelopmental context.

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Creed, P.A., Patton, W. 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 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022674528730

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