This study investigated students' experiences of a career development program that was established to foster interest in and aspirations for higher education within high school students residing in rural and isolated areas of Australia. Nine students who participated in the program were interviewed 18 months later to explore their recollections of…

Work-integrated learning has become a significant feature of Australian universities over the past decade. Earlier research indicates that some form of career development is essential to prepare undergraduate students for a competitive employment market. The 2008 National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS) Symposium sought…

New ideas and perspectives are needed to form effective counselling strategies and approaches in an effort to promote and enhance the psychological well-being of individuals in retirement transition. This article is the second of two co-published articles. The first, "Life-career re-engagement: A new conceptual framework for counselling people in…

While discussions of social justice have become more prominent in the general career literature in recent years, little attention has been given to where the topic "fits" within career education and, more specifically, how it affects career advisers in schools. Drawing on the findings emerging from research in New Zealand, I examine career…

Career education plays a crucial role during compulsory secondary schooling by providing students with opportunities to gain diverse insights into the multiple ways in which social, political and economic discourses shape and position concepts of self, career, opportunity and justice. It hence has the potential to make a difference to how young…

This case study focuses on the implementation of a professional studies subject at a regional Australian institution of higher education. This subject, established in order to foster the development of links to graduate destinations, creative networks and employment outcomes, involves a curriculum that is underpinned by several career theories.…

Career education occupies a pivotal position, relating school to the wider social, political and economic world. Yet it remains an under-researched curriculum area, with little attention given to issues of social justice. In this article I discuss the findings from a small-scale qualitative study, which consisted of an hour-long semi-structured…

This case study describes a career education program that has engaged rural secondary school students with the experience of university. The residential experience program included learning exercises for career exploration, attending university, and social experiences related to living in a city. Evaluation indicated that rural schools and…

Cultural diversity and the cultural context of adolescent career development are explored through the lens of the cultural syndromes of individualism and collectivism. The individualist cultural value orientation of some of the main theoretical perspectives that underpin career education and counseling practice in schools is highlighted. In…

Career education concepts have been integrated into the curriculum at a primary school in Brisbane. Essential elements of relevant syllabus documents were identified and used as the basis of planned career education strategies. The existing curriculum was examined in the light of career competencies. All career-related learning that had already…

High school students in North America, namely, the United States and Canada, encounter the challenge of the school-to-school and school-to-work transition, and they need considerable help for career guidance and counselling. Yet, the guidance and counselling resources of the school system are often stretched to their limits. This article proposes…

The present study investigates the career maturity of 1090 high school students in Years 8 to 12 in Australia (n = 656) and South Africa (n = 434). Scores on the Australian version of the "Career Development Inventory" were analysed. While a developmental explanation for career maturity was supported, gender differences between countries and…

Research undertaken in England during 1999 identified that ethnic minority groups have diverse career needs, and while this is generally recognised few initiatives had been instigated to address them. If the career education needs of Muslim girls are to be effectively met, a shift away from a predominantly ethnocentric provision, based on western…

A 14-week career assistance program was provided to 20 male cricketers aged 15-16. Their measures of athletic identity, ego identity, and career thoughts were compared with 11 controls. The experimental group improved career goal decidedness, career awareness, and recognition of the need for career options outside sports. (Contains 24 references.)…

Australian girls (n=21) received 6 weeks of mentoring from 19 retail and information/communications technologies professionals, a structured workbook, and a career guidance workshop. Pre/postprogram data from girls, mentors, and school staff showed the program was effective in providing realistic, relevant information about growth industry…