The Vocational Choices of Negro College Students in North Carolina

Early 20th‐Century Career Counseling for Women: Contemporary Practice and Research Implications

“…Also, it is important to note that career counseling experiences for White educated women were historically substantially different from those of women of color (Cooper, 1937; Gould, 2018). Current career counseling practices and research are influenced by these historical foundations and may continue to perpetuate inherent gender and racial biases.…”

“…In fact, more than a third of Black women were interested in professional careers because they believed in their ability to succeed in these jobs (Cooper, 1937). This self‐efficacy was not developed through career counseling because at the time there was little career counseling for Black women, and if there was, it was steeped in prejudice (Cooper, 1937). Another influential factor in the development of the vocational preferences and choices of Black women was the impact of “too much racial prejudice” (Cooper, 1937, p. 66) that prevented Black women from selecting desirable occupations.…”

“…This self‐efficacy was not developed through career counseling because at the time there was little career counseling for Black women, and if there was, it was steeped in prejudice (Cooper, 1937). Another influential factor in the development of the vocational preferences and choices of Black women was the impact of “too much racial prejudice” (Cooper, 1937, p. 66) that prevented Black women from selecting desirable occupations. Furthermore, 42% of Black women were entering the workforce because of a “desire to serve” (p. 66).…”

“…Whereas White women received gendered career counseling, women of color were experiencing additional barriers of segregation and prejudice (Cooper, 1937). For Black women, family was influential in building career interest by fostering positive self‐efficacy beliefs.…”

“…For Black women, family was influential in building career interest by fostering positive self‐efficacy beliefs. In fact, more than a third of Black women were interested in professional careers because they believed in their ability to succeed in these jobs (Cooper, 1937). This self‐efficacy was not developed through career counseling because at the time there was little career counseling for Black women, and if there was, it was steeped in prejudice (Cooper, 1937).…”