Career readiness has become an expected outcome of earning a college degree, but employers and much of the public believe that graduates lack the skills necessary to be effective in the workplace. However, undergraduates, and especially those involved in cocurricular activities, routinely describe themselves competent in their abilities prior to…

This qualitative study investigated the perspectives of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and non-CTE high school graduates regarding CTE programs. Utilizing an anonymous online survey, data from 51 respondents were analyzed to explore viewpoints on valuable CTE programs, their influence on career trajectories and education, acquired skills,…

There is a growing perception in society that people are losing faith in the value of a college education (Craig, 2015; Hart Research Associates, 2018). Declining enrollments at higher education institutions for more than a decade support this assertion (NCH Research Center, 2021). To remain relevant as an industry, higher education institutions…

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of special education teachers as they relate to teacher preparation programs and how they prepared teachers to work with and lead paraprofessionals. Hersey and Blanchard's situational leadership approach and Adult Leadership Theory are the theoretical basis…

This study examined the experiences of undergraduate student leaders at a small, private institution of higher education in the New England region and specifically how those undergraduate students made sense of their experiences as student leaders and the impact that had on their career readiness based on the competencies identified by the…

This correlational research design analyzes the identity development of career and technical education high school students. Adolescents have a choice to make: enter a traditional high school or pursue a high school education in a career and technical education setting. The focus of getting an education in a career and technical education setting…

The purpose of this study is to examine how and to what extent an afterschool program for marginalized youth assists in developing workforce readiness skills through a critical positive youth development (CPYD) framework that considers the social contexts of youth. There is little research on afterschool programs that prepare youth for the…

Graduates encountered challenges in their field of employment due to lack of practical training.This is a qualitative study aimed at assessing Career Readiness Among Recently Licensed Practical Nurse Graduates. Benner's Model and Duchscher's theoretical framework supports this study. 11 clinical nurse supervisors were included in the research; six…

Preparing graduates for full-time employment following graduation has become an increasing concern for universities. Student services departments who employ students have been tasked with providing intentional development opportunities for them. At Arizona State University those opportunities have been taken on by professional staff members (PSM)…

The role of the superintendency is continually evolving because of changes related to society, technology, and education reform. Continuous role changes necessitate ongoing superintendent professional development (Hackmann & McCarthy, 2011; Myer & Feistritzer, 2003). The exploratory case study investigates how superintendents used skills…

Technological literacy for all is the goal of technology and engineering education (T&E) instruction. While this has been the goal for several decades, technological literacy is lacking in the United States. To address this problem the current study investigates student motivation toward making and doing. By understanding student motivation…

The purpose of this study was to understand how student affairs educators make meaning of the concept of career readiness among undergraduate students they directly advise or supervise at a public, research institution in Texas. This study was driven by the increased pressure of higher education as a whole to highlight college graduates'…

The employability of liberal arts versus specialized degree-holders is a significant concern in a technology-driven labor market. As a result of the specialized market, there has been an immediate demand for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or STEM-related degree-holders. However, the demand for STEM-related skills also…

The purpose of this research was to explore the gaps in college and career readiness (CCR) skills for secondary students and the possible solutions for filling readiness gaps. This qualitative case study interviewed students, teachers, college professors, and business leaders to determine the gaps in the skills of new college students and…

The persistent work-readiness gap between accounting education and practice highlights the urgent need to develop stronger critical-thinking skills in graduates. This qualitative study was conducted to explore how a cocurricular online program at a South African, private, higher education provider contributed to the development of…