This study is based on the Cognitive Information Processing Approach, I tried to form a career group counseling program for elementary school students. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of the program by testing 4 variables ; Career decision...
This study is based on the Cognitive Information Processing Approach, I tried to form a career group counseling program for elementary school students. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of the program by testing 4 variables ; Career decision-making self-efficacy, Dysfunctional career thoughts, Parent support, and Career decision-making ability. Influences of variables related to elementary school students' career development have been analysed and the program has been constructed in line with systematic, circular, and procedural model. Then, after carrying out the final version of the program, the effectiveness was verified. The summary of this research would follow.
The purpose of this research is effectiveness verification through the Career Group Counseling Program based on the Cognitive Information Processing Approach for elementary school students. After conducting needs-analysis and actual-condition analysis, the final program was conducted through preparatory study and targeted 84 5th grade students whom I teach.
The students were divided into three groups : a test group (applied my hypothetic program testing), a comparison group (applied existing career group counseling program), and a control group. The test was carried out during discretionary classes and extracurricular activity classes 10 times.
In order to measure the effectiveness and meaningful changes before and after the test, I classified preliminary test, post-test and preliminary test, follow-up test and conducted a paired t-test to each. In results, students belonging to the test group showed more meaningful distinction compared to the average of the other two groups.
It means that 4 variables (career decision-making self-efficacy, dysfunctional career thoughts, parents support, career decision-making ability) which I have established for the research have an effect on the career development of elementary school students. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was also conducted and the result proved that each variable had a significant influence.
Thus, the hypothesis is confirmed and we can say that the Career Group Counseling Program based on the cognitive information processing approach is effective for the career development of elementary school students. In addition, after students participated in the program, the effects of the test lasted for a while and influenced their everyday life.
This research can be used to effectively modify elementary school students' career recognition and suggest that diverse programs based on the cognitive information processing approach should be studied and also continuous modification should follow for generalizing the program.
In order to meet the need of students' interest and efforts in career training, characterized and various programs should be provided. Follow-up studies would be fulfilled not only for elementary school students' career experience activities but also for establishing the notion of lifetime career plans.