Hong Kong Adolescents’ Perceptions of Selected Aspects of the Job Interview Process

Increasingly, new labor market entrants must understand and be adequately prepared to engage in the interview process. This exploratory, descriptive case study examined the naïve and informed perceptions of disadvantaged youths in Hong Kong who participated in a job-seeking skills workshop on job interviewing. Qualitative data was coded using an emergent design, through multiple phases of coding to develop thematic findings. Pre- and post- survey data were compared to illustrate changes as a result of the workshop intervention. Participants identified five main themes or groups of questions as being important in a job interview. Two themes were deemed most critical; (a) reasons for being interested in the job and (b) reasons to hire the interviewee. Post-workshop perceptions about interview questions appeared to be less externally-oriented than those obtained before the workshop. Personal traits and work-related skills were perceived as the most important information to relate to potential employers. Workshop participants were better able to identify important elements of the job interview and articulate ways to present personal skills and qualities in appropriate ways. This exploratory study contributes to the discourse on job-seeking youth by highlighting potential areas for further study, as well as potential targeting and improving of job-seeking skills through focused workshop interventions

Economic Attainment Patterns of College-Educated Women in Mid-Career: An Objective Indicator of Career Success

The purpose of this study was to identify latent classes of college-educated late-baby-boomer generation women’s economic attainment (income) patterns during mid-career and examine the family and job satisfaction characteristics within each latent class. Longitudinal latent class analysis was used to analyze income data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 for 607 college-educated women in the United States for the years 1990 to 2010. The analysis revealed five distinct patterns of women’s economic attainment. A majority of the sample (72.7%) fell into the sustained growth group in which women’s economic attainment increased continuously and consistently. Approximately one-third of the sample exhibited sporadic (steady decline, early-sustained, and late rebound) or limited (stagnant growth) patterns. Both newly-formed family and family-of-origin factors differed significantly across classes. However no difference in job satisfaction among classes was found

Generalized Self-Efficacy of Youth in the New Territories: A Community Survey Conducted by a Hong Kong NGO

Youth are both key participants in debate and a central theme in the discourse on social issues in Hong Kong. Youth are often problematized in the contemporary media and political discussion as lacking in the work ethic, confidence and social skills necessary to be successful. Hong Kong youth are framed as pathologically shy, anti-social, lazy and entitled and these characteristics are used to present an image of Hong Kong youth as having individual characteristics that lead to their challenges in the job market and their characteristics as political rogues. This study approaches the characterization of Hong Kong youth with an intention of gaining a clearer picture of individual characteristics related the problematized image of Hong Kong youth, namely Generalized Self-Efficacy (GSE), a notion connected to a variety of traits. The study is based on community surveys of youth (N=2036) using the GSE instrument conducted in the New Territories communities of Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long, communities known for high rates of poverty, and public housing. GSE characteristics are analyzed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency, factor analysis to verify the dimensional nature of the scale. The relationships between GSE and age and gender were analyzed using multiple linear regression model. Findings indicated that despite a slightly higher, yet statistically significant GSE scores for females, and little impact of age on GSE, Hong Kong youth have normal levels of GSE. This finding offers a counter to the pathologizing of youth’s individual characteristics, and implies the need for a shift in discourse toward more targeted examination of the structural issues that act as barriers to social mobility of today’s young people in Hong Kong

Individualized Learning Plans in Guiding Career-Technical Course-Taking and Achieving Post-High-School Employment Goals

Most adolescents and young adults in the U.S. seek employment after high school regardless of their education or work status, yet career readiness and work preparation have not received equal attention as the college readiness and preparation at the secondary level. Using data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:2009), we explored possible connections between individualized learning plans (ILP) and both secondary Career-Technical Education (CTE) course taking and employment goal attainment in the U.S. Results showed that ILPs were positively associated with establishing employment goals, securing employment, and achieving employment goals after high school. Students who had employment goals were likely to earn more CTE credits and had higher probabilities of working after high school. However, ILPs did not moderate the relationship between employment goals and earned CTE credits, nor moderate the relationship between employment goals and work activities. Findings reflect an overlook of integrated college and career readiness preparation and underutilization of school-based career education resources. Keywords: Individualized learning plan; career and technical education; employment; school-based career development; college and career readiness DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-16-04 Publication date:June 30th 202

A Framework for Research in Transition: Identifying Important Areas and Intersections for Future Study

The role of research in transition education has been prominent and influential. Yet too many young people with disabilities are still not experiencing outcomes aligned with their personal aspirations and priorities. Moreover, individuals with disabilities continue to experience barriers to employment, educational, economic, and other challenges well into adulthood. Moving forward as a field will require continued investment in strong scholarship and careful consideration of new areas of inquiry. In this article, we present a framework for transition research designed to identify key issues and intersections in which future inquiry should be directed. We present research needs in six different areas to illustrate these possibilities. We also highlight some of the complexities and considerations associated with conducting this research

Conceptualization, development, and early dissemination of eMPACTTM: A competency-based career navigation system for translational research professionals

Abstract Introduction: Purposeful training and ongoing career support are necessary to meet the evolving and expanding roles of clinical research professionals (CRP). To address the training and employment needs of clinical research coordinators (CRCs), one of the largest sectors of the CRP workforce, we designed, developed, and implemented an online career navigation system, eMPACTTM (eMpowering Purposeful Advancement of Careers and Training). Methods: A design-based research method was employed as an overarching approach that frames iterative design, development, and implementation of educational interventions. The five major phases of this project – conceptualization, task analysis for measurement development, algorithms development, algorithms validation, and system evaluation – presented specific goals and relevant methods. Results: The results reported how the eMPACTTM system was conceptualized, developed, and validated. The system allowed CRCs to navigate tailored training and job opportunities by completing their task competencies and career goals. The data sets could, in turn, support employees’ and training coordinators’ informed decisions about organizational training needs and recruitment. The early dissemination results showed steady growth in registered CRCs and diversity in users’ ethnicity and job levels. Conclusions: The eMPACTTM service showed the possibility of supporting CRCs’ individual career advancement and organizational workforce enhancement and diversity. Long-term research is needed to evaluate its impact on CRC workforce development, explore key factors influencing workforce sustainability, and expand eMPACTTM service to other CRP sectors