Two Computer Programs for Vocational Exploration and Assessment Employing Occupational Aspirations

Abstract

This paper describes the development and initial testing of two programs designed to assist in the process of vocational choice. The basis for the programs is a considerable body of research evidence which substantiates that occupational aspirations (expressed choice) is as valid a predictor of a variety of outcome criteria as is any standardized interest inventory. The programs to be described start with the subject's expressed choices and employ a pair-comparison scaling technique to scale the relative desirability of each choice. In addition, work value ratings are imposed upon the scaled occupations as well as upon the subject's stated needs and the estimate of the capacity of an occupation to satisfy those work value needs. A subsidiary program for the student who is vocationally undecided, as well as vocationally uninformed, is also outlined. Initial evaluation of the programs against standardized interest inventories has yielded promising results.

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