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Student's Perception Of The Role Of School Counsellors In The Choice Of A Career
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Organizational framework (structural component and program component)
and resources (human and political). Gysbers and Henderson, 2000.
As
such Counseling and guidance experts are increasingly emphasizing the
need for program planning and evaluation and improving effectiveness of
programs and accountability of counselors.
In establishing carefully
planned counseling and guidance programs in post primary education, the
idea of gender responsiveness is critical.
The term “gender
responsiveness†refers to the practice of active and engaged strategies
and responses to issues relating to gender in educational planning and
policies. Gender responsive programming promotes greater equity by;
Ensuring that the overall need and interest of both boys and girls in post primary schools are met.
Effectively incorporating life skills-based strategies for preparing the nest generations to make life career decisions.
Ensuring access to programs for upper level education /college/university readiness.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Lack
of preparation to navigate the changing workplace can be tied
specifically to a lack of career knowledge and awareness. More than half
of high school students say no one in their school has been helpful in
advising on career options or option to further their education. (Hurley
et.al, 2002). Without structured guidance activities, young people tend
to drift through their high school education without gaining knowledge
of all the career opportunities available to them or the skills that are
required. Some will become discouraged and drop out of high school;
others may miss the connections between high school, post-secondary
education and the workplace and make career decision based on inaccurate
or incomplete information.
In a survey carried out by the state of
our nation’s youth, the top career choices among students in an open
ended question were doctor or surgeon (10%), teacher of professor (8%),
engineer (6%), nurse/medical assistant (6%), arts or entertainment (5%),
lawyer or attorney (5%). (Horatio Agler Association of Distinguished
American, Inc 2008-2009}. Most of these choices require a number of
years of post secondary education. Yet only 70% of students graduate
from school on time and only 34% graduate ready for college. (Alliance
for Excellent Education, 2000). This disconnects between aspiration and
educational performance set students up for personal or financial
disappointment as they are faced with the realities of the job market.
Many
other students enter college without a clear career goal. resulting in
indecision and the costly prospect of excessive time spent in post- high
school institution as they drift from one program to another or pursue
courses of study that do not align with employer need. Students over the
age of 25 are now one of the fastest growing populations in community
colleges. (Gateway Community College, 2006). They often enroll to get
additional skills to be competitive in the workplace. Many of these
students have already completed some college or even a 4-year degree,
but have found it inadequate or inappropriate for the career
opportunities that are available to them. Engaging in post secondary
education without a clear purpose does not use public or private
resources as effectively as possible and these students would have
greatly benefited from stronger career guidance early in their
educational experience.
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