| Career development is a lifelong process characterized by Critical Career Decision Points (CCDPs) where the individual selects career options that have potentially long-term effects. The current study attempted to identify these CCDPs by analyzing the statistical relationship between 20 variables and career maturity using the Career Maturity Inventory - Revised (CMI-R), Assessment of Attributions for Career Decision Making (AACDM), and a researcher-developed questionnaire. The study, also, attempted to determine a time frame prior to significant life events when CCDPs occur as evidenced by increases in career maturity. The theory proposed by the current study stated that as a result of the anticipation of a significant life event an individual realizes that a career-related decision must be made and that information about self and careers is needed in order to make an effective decision at the CCDP resulting in higher career maturity.;Five hundred ten students from three high schools, two 2-year colleges, and one university participated in the study. The design of research was a combination of survey and correlational research. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-test, MANOVA, and regression analysis.;Results of the study indicated that CCDPs do exist; however, a consistent, measurable time frame between the CCDP and a significant life event could not be established. The data also indicated that the following variables were significantly correlated with increases in career maturity: “Age” - older students had higher career maturity than younger students; “Gender” - females scored higher than males; “Ethnic Background” - Caucasian Americans scored higher than African Americans; “GPA” - students with higher GPAs scored higher than students with lower GPAs; “Employment Status” - employed students had higher career maturity than unemployed students; “Diploma” - students with an advanced diploma had higher career maturity than students with a standard diploma; “Major” - students who had selected a major had higher career maturity than students who had not; and “Career Goal” - students who had selected a career goal had higher career maturity than students who had not. Recognizing an upcoming significant life event increased career maturity, but a decision or an action taken in response to a significant life event had even more influence on career maturity than the anticipation of that event.;Recommendations for counselors and future research are included. |
