Education and Career Choices: How the School Can Support Young People to Develop Knowledge and Decision-making Skills

Abstract

Contemporary society is characterized by rapid changes in the labor market, increased flow of information, and more opportunities to make choices in relation to education and career. Previous research has demonstrated how many young people in school don't think they get the support they need to make such choices. The overall aim of this article is to contribute to more in-depth knowledge of what kind of support and knowledge young adults describe as important in order to be able to make informed choices. This knowledge might help school to better support young people in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and attitudes in relation to their education and career choices. The article is based on interviews with 25-year-old men and women. 23 interviews were conducted. In sum, the analysis indicates that guidance activities that aims to contribute to knowledge about the labor market, programs and courses and requirements for different education programs would probably be perceived as more fruitful by the young adults if they are organized in a combination of different levels, i.e. both as group activities (exhibitions, general information/discussion) and individual activities (personal information/discussion). Further, the authors demonstrate that roles and expectations between pupils, teachers and guidance counselors should be discussed and clarified.

Focused Solution Group Counseling as a Solution to Improve Career Choice Decision-making Abilities

“…Everyone has the same career opportunities and choices according to the abilities they have. So that students need to get support in choosing an appropriate career [36]. One of the services that can help students make the right career choice is counseling that focuses on solutions.…”

Classical Guidance Materials on Career Students Based on INATBKBK Instrument Analysis

“…Students are prepared to be able to find out the career goals and jobs they want to do in the future. (Eriksson et al, 2018) revealed that classical career guidance activities that aim to contribute to knowledge about the labor market, programs and courses and requirements for different educational programs might be considered more beneficial by young adults if they are organized in a combination of various level, academic. Both as group activities (exhibitions, general information / discussion) and individual activities (personal information / discussions).…”

A Path Towards a Possible Future – Adult Students’ Choice of Vocational Education

“…Studies also show that study guidance plays a crucial role in students choosing education in a different field than expected (Borghans et al, 2015). However, research by Eriksson et al (2018) shows that there are sometimes problems with study guidance, with students without an academic background describing a lack of information about higher education and only receiving information about vocational education. According to the authors, this risk leads to unequal class structures being reproduced, so that the choice of education is not expanded with new perspectives but is limited to students' own knowledge of the labour market and the knowledge they gain from their families.…”

“…These adult students view further studies as a possibility, but they lack important information about how to pursue such studies. Like Eriksson et al (2018), we see a risk that this lack of information is leading to a reproduction of unequal class structures, where working class adults get working class jobs.…”