This study examines the differences between male and female adolescents and their maths study on their career aspiration. The study investigates the effect of grade point average and parents' educational level on adolescents reported career aspiration. A career aspiration scale is administered to 2717 students representing tenth and eleventh grades. The findings reveal females have higher scores on career aspiration than males. Students who study pure maths in their career path have higher score on career aspiration than those with applied maths. Results also show significant effects of parents' educational level and grade point average on adolescents' career aspiration. Suggestion is provided to consider contextual variables in designing interventions.

The aim of this study is to understand the mind set of youths in relation to gender, college, and achievement levels. It is of essence, that counsellors, educators, parents and policy makers are able to uncover the factors that increase the gap between generations, so that they are can help them adjust to educational institutions, family system, work environment, and life in general. A sample of 310 students (male and female) was randomly selected from eight scientific and humanities colleges at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). A questionnaire of Sulaiman and Al-Muscati was used to measure the students' perception of generation gap. The researchers found that: Personality characteristics, information level, technical information, life style, social norms and cultural values, work values, and ways of communication were the factors that contributed to generation gaps from the pilot qualitative study and quantitative studies. The reliability and validity of the instruments were high and suitable for implementation. The result of the study indicated a high generation gap between youths and their parents due to technological information, life style, and personality characteristics factors. Also, there was medium generation gap due to social norms and cultural values factors. However, there was low generation gap between youths and their parents in communication ways, and information level factors. The generation gap is higher between the male students and their parents than female students in social norms and cultural values, communication ways, and information levels factors. Also the result showed Science College students have a greater generation gap with their parents than Humanities College students on two factors: Personality characteristics and technological information. Moreover the result revealed differences among the three categories of achievers (medium achievers, average achievers, and low achievers). All the differences were in favour of the three categories based on life style. The study suggests adjustment and bridging of generation gap.

The aim of the study was to examine the psychometric properties and the differential items functioning of short version of Career Aspiration Scale (CAS) in a sample of 2700 of Omani high school students. The results of the total score of CAS showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.67). An exploratory factor analysis yielded a support for nine items version identifying single construct. Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis confirmed that there were differences on five items concerning gender. DIF analysis performed according to grade showed that the functioning of CAS items was consistent in both grades except for item four. Suggestions were provided for further psychometric investigation of the scale.

Many factors play an essential role in establishing the profession of counseling psychology in Oman. These factors vary according to the country, culture, political environments, higher educational systems, university policy and regulations in which they arise. Current research and practice data prove the value of having counseling centers at universities for students, in terms of enhancing their personal development and adjustment skills, academic success, as well as improving student’s general mental health and increasing successful graduation outcomes. Student Counseling Centers do not merely assist students in adjusting to university environments, but also  play a vital role  in improving their academic performances via helping them work through their academic problems, as well as supporting them through other mental health concerns, and many other issues that may arise among the students inside the campus. This paper will discuss the student counseling center’s role in establishing counseling psychology profession in Oman.

This study examined the mediating role of career decision self-efficacy in the relationship between career locus of control and career aspiration. A 9-item Career Aspirations Scale, 31-items Career Locus of Control Scale, and 24-item Career Decision Self-Efficacy Short Form were administered to 2700 students from grades 10 to 11 studying in high schools. Path analysis results indicated that a positive direct effect of the internal locus of control on career aspiration and a negative direct effect of powerful others on career aspiration. Internal control, luck, and powerful others explained 43% of the variation in career decision self-efficacy. The results showed a positive direct effect of career decision self-efficacy on career aspiration. All together internal control, luck, powerful others, and career decision self-efficacy explained 42% of the variation in career aspiration. Implications were discussed to enhance internal locus of control and career self-efficacy among students.