Effect of a career counselling intervention on women participating in a government-sponsored employment enhancement program

Brake-Brushett, Deborah (2001) Effect of a career counselling intervention on women participating in a government-sponsored employment enhancement program. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This study was conducted to ascertain the impact of an established career counselling intervention on the career aspirations of women. Sixteen females enrolled in a government-sponsored training program participated in ten group counselling sessions. The goal of the program was to develop a greater appreciation for the full range of occupational alternatives and an enhanced understanding of the skills necessary for successful and optimum career development. -- The selected career counselling program, Shaping Your Future: Towards the Occupational Integration of Women is an activity/discussion-based career planning program designed to increase participants' awareness of themselves and their environment. Role modelling, group discussion and guided imagery are utilized to encourage students to assess and augment relevant career planning characteristics and skills. Positive self-esteem, assertiveness, self-assessment and attitudes are among the various career and personal development themes that are explored. -- This quasi-experimental study was an evaluation of an intervention using a pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group design. A questionnaire was devised to obtain the necessary research data. The instrument was designed to gather sociodemographic information, as well as information on relevant career development factors/issues including attitudes and six dependent variables: level of occupational knowledge, aspects of self, decision-making and problem-solving ability, assertiveness, role models, and imagery/possible selves. The questionnaire was administered twice during the program: one week pre-intervention and two week's post-intervention. -- Analysis of variance for repeated measures was utilized to complete a quantitative evaluation of the effect of the treatment intervention on the six dependent variables. Qualitative data on attitudes were examined to ascertain changes that may have occurred. Findings from the study suggested that the career counselling intervention had a significant influence on the participants' decision-making and problem-solving ability. There was also some noted improvement in occupational knowledge, assertiveness, and role model significance. Recommendations for practice focussed on modifications to the program while recommendations for research addressed replication of the study.

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