The relationship of personality and values to career intervention outcomes

Abstract

This paper explores the relative impact of four career counselling interventions on six outcome measures for final year students in a Brisbane high school. The six measures used were: vocational identity, degree of decidedness, number of jobs listed, congruence of expressed (occupational choice) and measured interests, internal consistency of expressed interests and the occupational status of the most preferred occupation. Comparison of pre- and post-test measures showed that for the low identity group, there was an increase in vocational identity, congruency, and a listing of fewer jobs after the intervention. It was concluded that no changes were accounted for by individual counselling interventions. However, there seemed to be some evidence that changes resulted from a group career guidance program in which all students participated. The changes noted indicated that students gained in vocational awareness and maturity and showed greater selectivity in career decision making over time. Differences were found between male and female students in career related attitudes and career choices. Several applications of the findings for current practice were considered including the use of the My vocational situation and Career information survey instruments for streamlining service delivery and prioritising student access. The need for further research to resolve some of the issues raised by the study was discussed.