Occupational Choices of High School Seniors in the Space Age.

N

84

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC.

Black Students; Career Choice; Career Counseling; Career Development; High School Seniors; High School Students; Occupational Aspiration; Parent Influence; Questionnaires; Student Attitudes

The study is intended to assist vocational counselors, and to provoke thinking among high school students, especially Negroes, which will result in more realistic career planning. Data were obtained by questionnaire from 2,012 seniors enrolled in 18 high schools during the second semester of the school year, 1963-1964. The unrealistic occupational aspirations of many students are evidenced by the following: (1) Of 188 possible occupational categories, 66.2 percent of the senior selected professional and managerial occupations, although parental employment in professional and managerial occupations was low: 15 percent for fathers; 12.1 percent for mothers, (2) Although only 20 percent of all students on a national basis go to college, 72.5 percent of the respondents planned to continue their formal education, and (3) Of the 20 reasons students gave for the above choices, 66.7 percent were influenced by admiration for successful people in the occupation. Using census data, characteristics of the population and occupations are provided for reference in realistic career planning and vocational counseling. The questionnaires used in this study are appended. (CH)

1970

ED038499