Career Reasoning of Children in an International School in China

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Friday 9:45am
  In Poster Session: Counseling Poster Session A

Abstract

This study examines how children in an international school in China conceptualize career choice and attainment using the Conceptions of Career Choice and Attainment (CCCA) model. Seventy students (6 to 11 years old) were interviewed, and their responses were scored across six levels based on the CCCA scoring manual. Preliminary results from 35 transcripts indicated significant grade-level differences in children’s career reasoning. Older students demonstrated higher levels of reasoning in career choice. No significant differences were found by gender or language preference. These findings highlighted early development of children’s career conceptions and the need for culturally sensitive career guidance/counseling in international education contexts. Ongoing analysis of the full dataset will further explore cultural and linguistic influences in career conceptions.

Authors

• Zhouyan Bu, Boston University

• Kimberly A.S. Howard, Boston University

• Zijin Li, Boston University

• Pei Wang, Boston University