The Impact Of A Sociology Career Planning Seminar On Students' Perceptions Of Career Barriers, Career Decision-Making Difficulties And Career Decision Self-Efficacy

Abstract

This study examined a sociology career planning seminar's impact on students'
perceptions of barriers to career planning, career decision-making difficulties and career
decision self-efficacy during the fall 2010 semester. Students enrolled in the career
seminar were placed into the treatment group, while students enrolled in a sophomore
sociology course were placed in the control group. The Perceptions of Barriers Scale -
Modified Version (Luzzo & McWhirter, 2001), the Career Decision-Making Difficulties
Questionnaire (Gati, Krausz & Osipow, 1996) and the Career Decision Self-Efficacy.
Scale- Short Form (Betz, Klein, & Taylor, 1996) were used to determine the impact of
the course. Paired sample t-tests were utilized to determine significant changes between
the pre-test and post-test for both the treatment and control groups. Independent sample ttests
were utilized to compare the treatment and control group at the post-test. A
significant difference was found between the treatment and control group at post-test
proving the seminar lowered students' perceptions of career barriers. No significance
was determined between the treatment and control group when career decision-making
difficulties were analyzed. Lastly, no significance was found when comparing the
treatment and control groups' career decision self-efficacy.

Date of Award	2011
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Richard Roberts (Supervisor)