The Career Choices of Children and Youth: Perceived Influences

• In Event: 16.027 - Multicultural Perspectives of Career Indecision and Career Choice

Abstract

Children’s understanding of the factors influencing their career choices were examined. Seventy-two children, grades kindergarten, 4, and 8, responded to questions about their perceptions of career influences. Responses were coded to capture the nature of the influences identified, including the global vs. specific and linear vs. interacting nature of these influences. Further, influences were coded as existing proximal vs. distal to the child. Results indicate that older children identified more career influences that were either specific or categorical and interacted in dynamic ways. No evidence was found for older children offering influences that existed at a systems level of organization.

Authors

• Kimberly A.S. Howard, Boston University

• Sean Flanagan, Boston University

• Eleanor Castine, Boston University