Journal of Career Development recent issues

Parental Influences, Career Decision-Making Attributions, and Self-Efficacy: Differences for Men and Women?

Lease, S. H., Dahlbeck, D. T. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:36:16 PST

This study investigated the relations of maternal and paternal attachment, parenting styles, and career locus of control to college students’ career decision self-efficacy and explored whether these relations differed by student gender. Data analysis using hierarchical multiple regression revealed that attachment was relevant for females’ career decision self-efficacy but not for men’s. Authoritarian parenting styles were predictive of women’s career decision self-efficacy. Locus of control was important for male students but not for females.

An Exploration of Social Cognitive Mechanisms, Gender, and Vocational Identity Among Eighth Graders

Macht Jantzer, A., Stalides, D. J., Rottinghaus, P. J. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:36:16 PST

The authors conducted a multiple group path analysis examining gender differences in relations among career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE), career decision-making outcome expectations (CDMOE), and career decision-making intentions-goals (CDMIG), as well as linkages between these three sociocognitive variables and vocational identity status in a sample of 820 eighth graders. Overall, gender differences in mean levels of the sociocognitive variables were found, with girls scoring significantly higher on each variable. Results revealed model parameters varied across the groups, with stronger paths for boys than girls. Outcome expectations partially mediated the relation between CDMSE and CDMIG. Overall, CDMSE and CDMOE accounted for 30% and 45% of the variance in CDMIG for girls and boys, respectively. Moreover, linear combinations of sociocognitive variables explained differences among identity status groups. Participants with high CDMSE and CDMOE scores were more likely to have made a tentative career choice, whereas those with lower scores had not yet committed. Suggestions are provided for counseling younger adolescents as they begin to develop vocational identities.

Role Salience, Social Support, and Work--Family Conflict Among Jewish and Arab Female Teachers in Israel

Cinamon, R. G. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:36:16 PST

Conceptualizing career development in a cultural and contextual framework, this study examined within-gender differences in role salience and work— family conflict (WFC) among 101 Jewish and 99 Arab female teachers (aged 23-64 years) from central Israel. The contribution of social support to women’s conflict was also examined. Results highlighted various differences: in contrast to expectations, Jewish teachers demonstrated higher spouse and parent values than Arab teachers, who demonstrated higher work values and work commitment. As expected, Jewish women reported higher levels of WFC compared to their Arab colleagues. Support systems in Jewish culture were related to lower WFC but not in Arab culture. Theoretical and practical implications emphasize the need for culture-sensitive models of work—family relations and for career counseling interventions.

The Effect of Overeducation on Job Content Innovation and Career-Enhancing Strategies Among Young Spanish Employees

Agut, S., Peiro, J. M., Grau, R. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:36:16 PST

The increase of education in younger people and the relative scarcity of qualified jobs available for them make the overeducation of young workers a social issue. We explored the relationships between overeducation and extra-role behaviors (job content innovation and career-enhancing strategies) as well as the direct and moderating role of personal initiative and intrinsic work values in these relationships. We collected data from a sample of 638 young Spanish employees. As expected, there were negative relationships between overeducation and content innovation and career-enhancing strategies. Personal initiative and intrinsic work values related positively to extra-role behaviors. Moreover, high levels of intrinsic work values and personal initiative emerged as moderating factors that buffered the negative effect of overeducation on extra-role behaviors.

Effectiveness of Career Counseling and the Impact of the Working Alliance

Masdonati, J., Massoudi, K., Rossier, J. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:36:16 PST

This study analyzes the role of the working alliance on the life satisfaction and career decision difficulties of clients participating in career counseling in Switzerland. The study also compares these career counseling clients to a group of students who did not seek counseling, to explore the overall effectiveness of a face-to-face career counseling intervention, using a pre—post design. Results indicated that the working alliance was positively associated with clients’ satisfaction with the intervention and with the final level of their life satisfaction. Working alliance was also negatively associated with the final levels of career decision difficulties. Moreover, clients’ career decision difficulties significantly decreased and their life satisfaction increased throughout the intervention. These findings suggest that working alliance represents an important variable to better understand career interventions’ underlying mechanisms. Moreover, face-to-face career counseling is effective considering career-specific as well as broader, life-related indicators.

Traditional and Nontraditional Work and Family Roles for Women and Men

Perrone, K. M. — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:16:47 PDT

Traditional and Nontraditional Gender Roles and Work--Family Interface for Men and Women

Perrone, K. M., Wright, S. L., Jackson, Z. V. — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:16:47 PDT

In this article, we examine traditional and nontraditional gender roles and work—family interface for men and women. Recent empirical literature is reviewed and implications for career counselors are discussed. We discuss changing gender roles in career, marriage, and parenting and provide strategies for helping clients to cope with work—family role strain and to find a satisfying balance between life roles. Directions for future research are also discussed.

To Mother or Matter: Can Women Do Both?

Schultheiss, D. E. P. — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:16:47 PDT

Despite a burgeoning interest in the interface between work and relationships, and its origins in feminist thought, crucial aspects of women’s experiences have remained invisible in the face of mainstream discourse in the career field. Many women have and will continue to define motherhood as a career, yet none of our career development theories do so. In this article, an historical, sociocultural, and political framework for the context of the career development of women who mother is offered. Existing career theory is discussed in light of women’s mothering work and a relational cultural paradigm is offered as a theoretical backdrop for the consideration of critical issues relevant to women’s work. Implications for career counseling practice, research, and public policy are offered.

On Men and Work: Taking the Road Less Traveled

Heppner, M. J., Heppner, P. P. — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:16:47 PDT

The purpose of this article is to review the literature related to men who pursue nontraditional career choices such as gender atypical occupations outside the home or being stay-at-home fathers. Key foundational findings and current studies that provide information about what factors influence men’s pursuit of nontraditional careers both in the paid labor market and as stay-at-home-fathers, as well as their experience of these important life choices, are reviewed. We then turn to specific recommendations from the literature which can inform the work of future researchers and career counselors in this area.

Women Pursuing Careers in Trades and Construction

Ericksen, J. A., Schultheiss, D. E. P. — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:16:47 PDT

The purpose of this article is to review the extant literature on women in skilled trades and construction to identify specific gaps in our knowledge of the career development processes and needs of this understudied and underserved population. Our aim is to stimulate the interest of scholars and their engagement in research and practice relevant to noncollege women with interests in these occupations. Such research is needed to guide successful career interventions, inform public policy, and promote equal opportunity for women in the pursuit of their careers.

Aligning Career Expectations With the Practice of Medicine: Physician Satisfaction

Gibson, D. D., Borges, N. J. — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:33:53 PDT

This study examined physicians' level of satisfaction with their job and the match between expectations and actual practice of specialty. Quantitative results suggested that physicians (N = 211) had a moderately high level of overall job satisfaction with no significant differences found between men and women physicians. Among those in primary care, medical specialties, surgical specialties, or supporting specialties, overall job satisfaction was found to be higher for surgical specialists compared to primary care physicians. Qualitative comments from two open-ended questions identified 20 themes regarding how closely the participants' expectations matched with the realities of the practice of medicine. Six themes are described in detail. Approximately 85% of physicians felt their expectations for their specialty matched their actual experience in the field. Helping students to understand how their expectations align with the actual practice of medicine and specific specialties is important to their development as a physician and to job satisfaction, and has implications for career counseling and advising in undergraduate and graduate medical education.

A Content Analysis of Acculturation Research in the Career Development Literature

Miller, M. J., Kerlow-Myers, A. E. — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:33:53 PDT

The purpose of the present study was to highlight the importance of acculturation as an explanatory variable in career development and to provide an empirical review of acculturation research in the career development literature. Acculturation is a cultural variable that has been linked to a number of important career development outcomes for racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse populations. A review of 26 empirical acculturation studies in the career development literature revealed a number of positive trends such as an increase in the attention to acculturation within the literature and an improvement in the way the construct is conceptualized. However, results also indicated a number of limitations such as a disparity between conceptualization and operationalization of the construct and, at times, a lack of clear conceptual definitions of acculturation in the literature. Recommendations for research and practice are presented.

Mentoring and Protege Narcissistic Entitlement

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:33:53 PDT

The relationship between protégé narcissistic entitlement and protégé mentoring outcomes is examined among a total sample of 132 protégés employed in a variety of settings. Narcissistic entitlement (NE) refers to a dispositional variable that reflects preoccupation with the expectation of special and preferential treatment from others. Results indicate that protégés with greater NE report relationships of shorter duration, less career mentoring support, lower relationship quality, and greater negative mentoring experiences than do protégés with lesser NE. Additionally, protégé NE moderated the relationship between mentor commitment and relationship quality such that the relationship was stronger for protégés higher in NE than for protégés lower in NE. NE was not related to whether participants had experience as a protégé. Implications include the need for expanded education regarding mentoring relationships that take into account the role the individual plays in the relationship.

The Career Institute: A Collaborative Career Development Program for Traditionally Underserved Secondary (6--12) School Students

Rivera, L. M., Schaefer, M. B. — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:33:53 PDT

Career development is integral to students' academic and social—personal development, and addressing students' needs in this area is recognized as an important responsibility of the professional school counselor. However, efforts to address students' career development tend to be lacking or services are provided in a disconnected manner. This article provides a brief overview of the literature on career development in schools and presents a schoolwide career development program that is integrated into the school curriculum, collaboratively implemented with teachers, and begins in the sixth grade. The value of this programmatic effort is discussed, and recommendations for program development are offered.

The Influence of Item Response Indecision on the Self-Directed Search

Sampson, J. P., Shy, J. D., Hartley, S. L., Reardon, R. C., Peterson, G. W. — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:33:53 PDT

Students (N = 247) responded to Self-Directed Search (SDS) per the standard response format and were also instructed to record a question mark (?) for items about which they were uncertain (item response indecision [IRI]). The initial responses of the 114 participants with a (?) were then reversed and a second SDS summary code was obtained and compared to the first. SDS codes did not change for 82% of IRI participants, but changes occurred in the first and second letters for 6%, the second and third letters for 4%, and the third letter for 9%. There were significant relationships between the extent of IRI and dysfunctional career thoughts, and IRI was inversely related to interest structure, for example, SDS consistency, congruence, and differentiation.

From Drafter to Engineer, Doctor to Nurse: An Examination of Career Compromise as Renegotiated by Working-Class Adults Over Time

Packard, B. W.-L., Babineau, M. E. — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:16:06 PST

This article explored career compromise as negotiated by working-class adults pursuing science-related careers. Using a multiple case study method, we focused on eight individuals who participated in an interview about their career choices and then were followed longitudinally for 2 years. All participants were first-generation college students from working-class families and, at the start of the study, were enrolled at a community college. The results highlight key factors that influenced initial compromises including time and financial constraints, family obligations, and lacking requisite skills. In addition, renegotiations of initial career compromises were sparked by plateaus at work, role models, wanting more money, and having limited time. An extended window of time and financial resources were critical for sustained college pursuit 2 years later. Implications for career development initiatives are discussed.

Successful Reemployment Through Resiliency Development

Fleig-Palmer, M. M., Luthans, K. W., Mandernach, B. J. — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:16:06 PST

The proposed model in this article seeks to extend the job search literature by considering resiliency as a predictor of job search behavior and reemployment outcomes. In addition, because past research in this area has not expressly considered job search skills, they are included in this model as an additional predictor along with their interaction with resiliency. The importance of resiliency for job seekers is discussed with particular emphasis on young adults, minorities, and relocating spouses/partners. Because resiliency is a state-like variable, suggestions are offered to promote the development of resiliency in job seekers. It is hoped that the theoretical framework proposed in this article and the specific recommendations for resiliency development can positively affect job seekers pursuing reemployment.

Relationship of Advisory Mentoring to MBA Career Maturity: An Anticipatory Socialization Perspective

Melien Wu, , Chang, C.-C. — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:16:06 PST

This study investigates the influences of gender and work experiences on career maturity, as well as the relationship between advisory mentoring and career maturity. Analytical results from 528 full-time MBA students are summarized as follows: (a) gender exerts significant differences in advisory mentoring functions (instrumental and career-related functions) but not in career maturity, (b) work experience is significantly related to planfulness, (c) psychosocial function is a strong predictor of planfulness and independence, whereas career-related function is a strong predictor of both information gathering and involvement. The results are interpreted and implications discussed in terms of advisory mentoring behavior and career counseling of MBA education.

Employees' Intentions to Retire Early: A Case of Planned Behavior and Anticipated Work Conditions

van Dam, K., van der Vorst, J. D. M., van der Heijden, B. I. J. M. — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:16:06 PST

This study investigated the early retirement intentions of 346 older Dutch employees by extending the theory of planned behavior with anticipated work conditions. The results showed that employees who felt a pressure from their spouse to retire early had a strong intention to leave the work force before the official retirement age, that is 65. Also, employees' retirement attitude and perceived control over the retirement decision were related to early retirement intentions. Finally, the results indicated that employees might postpone early retirement when they anticipate working in a challenging and rewarding work environment. Together, our findings suggest a number of ways in which organizations can affect employees' early retirement decision making.

Constructivist Career Development as a Paradigm of Empowerment for At-Risk Culturally Diverse College Students

Grier-Reed, T. L., Skaar, N. R., Conkel-Ziebell, J. L. — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:16:06 PST

Although constructivist career theory is routinely discussed in the literature, links between theory and practice in education are lacking. The current study focused on the potential of a constructivist curriculum to empower at-risk culturally diverse college students by increasing career self-efficacy and reducing dysfunctional career thoughts. Using a pre/post-test design, 75 under-prepared undergraduates who were enrolled in six sections of a constructivist career course at a large Midwestern university completed the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale Short-Form (CDSE-SF) and the Career Thoughts Inventory (CTI). The sample was 45% students of color and 55% White. Multivariate analysis of variance with follow-up univariate analyses revealed significantly higher CDSE-SF scores and significantly lower CTI scores. These results suggest that a constructivist career development course may be a viable educational vehicle for empowering at-risk culturally diverse college students by increasing career self-efficacy and decreasing self-defeating thoughts, particularly thoughts associated with decision-making confusion and commitment anxiety.

The Relationship Among Work Possible Selves, Socioeconomic Position, and the Psychological Well-Being of Individuals in Early Adulthood

Pisarik, C. T., Shoffner, M. F. — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:16:06 PST

This study examines the relationships among work possible selves, socioeconomic position, gender, and psychological well-being. Participants were college students in early adulthood (N = 201), aged 20 to 35. Work possible selves, a construct based on the theory of possible selves, were examined. The results showed relationships between expectations for the future self in work (expected work possible selves) and socioeconomic position. Results also showed that individuals who report larger discrepancies between hoped-for and expected work possible selves reported lower psychological well-being in terms of satisfaction with life.