Effectiveness of a Required Course in Career Planning for Psychology Majors

Abstract

Two studies investigated the effectiveness of a course in career planning for psychology majors. Study 1 used a quasi-experimental design. Students who completed a corequisite research methods course in the year before the department added the careers course to the curriculum served as a comparison group. Analyses showed that students in the careers course increased their self-perceived knowledge of career options for psychology majors, confidence in their ability to make career decisions, and movement toward achievement of vocational identity. In Study 2, precourse versus postcourse comparisons demonstrated increases in actual career-related knowledge and in both career exploration and decidedness. Results suggest that such courses can facilitate career development among psychology majors.

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