The career maturity of college freshmen as impacted by career counseling received in grades K--12: A reflective study

This study investigates the degree of career maturity of college freshmen who currently attend a doctoral level university in the southeastern United States. The study addresses whether an individual's degree of career maturity can be expressed as a result of the specific career competencies achieved while in grades K-12. The study also addresses whether the degree of career maturity is affected by the process (delivery methods) by which career counseling interventions were delivered to these students in grades K-12.;The data for this study was obtained through a causal comparative research design. In order to assess the current degree of career maturity, the My Vocational Situation questionnaire (Holland, Daiger, & Power, 1980) was utilized. In order to provide data on the delivery methods by which participants were provided interventions on these career competencies, participants responded to a researcher designed survey based on the eleven career competencies from the 2003 National Career Development Guidelines.;The form of statistical analysis utilized in this study was the chi-square. The chi-square was used to determine the effect of the three independent variables of this study on degree of career maturity.;The findings of this study provide evidence that achieving more of the 11 career competencies at a high degree of achievement will lead to a higher degree of career maturity. This finding also provides evidence of the need for comprehensive career counseling programs in grades K-12. The findings also provide evidence of the importance of other methods outside of career interventions helping students achieve a high degree of career maturity.