The use of career assessments in transition planning: an exploratory study

Abstract

The Self Directed Search (SDS) and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) were administered to a group of college age students who were either School Psychology graduate students or undergraduate students enrolled in a Career Exploration course at a local, private university. It was hypothesized that the SDS and the 16PF profiles for the students would differ between the two groups, showing that the profiles for those enrolled as School Psychology graduate students would be similar to the career summary codes previously identified for their chosen careers. Independent t-tests showed that on the SDS the School Psychology graduate students scored higher on the Social scale and lower on the Realistic scale, both of which were consistent with the SDS summary codes for the students chosen career. On the 16PF, the School Psychology graduate students were shown to be higher on the primary scales of Factor A (Warmth), and Factor B (Reasoning). They also scored lower on the primary scales Factor L (Vigilance), Factor M (Abstractedness), and Factor N (Privateness). These results were also consistent with the SDS career code that was previously identified for the student’s chosen career. The results of this study are discussed in terms of the usefulness of administering these measures to students who are in the process of transitioning from high school to postsecondary education or the work force

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