Publication Date

1964

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Schmidt, Wesley I.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Education

LCSH

Counseling; Vocational guidance

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if any significant difference existed between eighth grade boy and girls in the areas of home and school environment and to gain insight into the minds and opinions of such a group in order to present an introductory occupational information unit. It was also the purpose of this study to initiate the use of a profile with which these students could evaluate an occupation and its requirements, then contrast themselves to these requirements in the general areas of abilities and interests. Forty-two boys and thirty-four girls enrolled in five sections of eighth grad© English were utilized in this study under the direction of one teacher. After receiving an orientation on high school registration by the high school counselors, these five sections were engaged in class discussions on preparing for high school and the need for knowledge and background to plan for the future. Further tine was devoted to the presentation of methods of research to obtain occupational information. A required research paper provided each student with an opportunity to explore an occupation of his choice. A personal survey was completed by all students and this served two purposes. It Involved the student in assessing major factors in both his home and school environment and also provided data for determining if a significant difference between the sexes existed in any of these general areas. It was found that there was a significant difference between the boys and the girls in regard to their future plans for further education. Eighty-one per cent of the boys did indicate that college was a definite goal in contrast to only fifty per cent of the girls. As a large group of the boys indicated an interest in entry occupations at the beginning of the unit, there is indication of a possible change for a significant portion of this group and the college goal may not be realistic for this large percentage of the boys. The lack of material relative to entry occupations the students found available and the awareness of the prestige of a "college goal" could be responsible for this apparent shift. A significantly larger percentage of the boys indicated they did not feel they had an adequate opportunity to express themselves while in junior high school. In considering that forty-one percent of the boys indicated they did not belong to any school organizations, it was felt a major area of concern was identified. A significant difference occurred between the two groups in regard to parental help or the lack of it. A larger percentage of the girls felt they received enough help from their parents in comparison to the boys. A large percentage of the boys, thirty-eight per cent, indicated they felt they simply did not need any help from their parents in regard to school work, therefore indicating a possible difference in rapport at home. It was concluded from the analysis of these areas that the girls appeared to be better adjusted to school, teachers and parents as they indicated they felt rapport was higher. It was felt there should be a variety of group projects available within the occupational unit in order to provide the boys with more opportunity to become recognized by both students and the faculty and add to their self-concept of worth within the total group. In examining the percentage of students who indicated their self-concept of their abilities and interests differed from the requirements of their chosen occupation, it was found that the students did prepare the profile with some degree of care and interest. In testing the divergence of observed results from those expected on the hypothesis of equal probability, the results were found to be significant at the .01 level. The following points summarize the findings: 1. The methods of presenting an introductory unit must insure a clear and unbiased picture of the world of work. 2. It is important that all students have an opportunity to contribute and become involved with the total process of career planning, selection and evaluation. 3. The process of self-evaluation is an extremely important concept that will lead to a more realistic outlook.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

viii, 58 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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