An exploration of focus groups as a means of investigating career thinking and exploration in a sample of black learners in an under- resourced school.
Loading...
Date
2001
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Much of the research on career development of black secondary school learners (Hickson
& White, 1989, Ntshangase, 1995) has been focused on black learners in relatively
affluent black areas, particularly townships. The aim of this study was to investigate
career development and exploration in a sample of black learners from an under-resourced
school in Pietermaritzburg. They were generally of a low socio economic status.
In order to assess the learners' career maturity, a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental
design was used. The central aim of this research project was to undertake focus group
discussions. In order to facilitate career development, the discussions were learner-driven.
These discussions were run over five sessions and allowed for an investigation of
contextual influences on career development.
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of data collected was conducted, in order to ascertain
the effect of the focus group discussions on the learners' career maturity levels. The
analysis showed a marked improvement in total career maturity scores of the experimental
group as was measured by the Career Development Questionnaire. No significant changes
were observed in the total maturity scores of the comparison group. Qualitative analysis of
the discussions showed that. the learners gained a great deal from one another and together
they discovered and shared career information and life skills.
The results of this study showed the extent to which black learners from under-resourced
areas are marginalized. They do not get the same exposure as their urban, suburban and
township counterparts. The results further highlighted the plight of these learners whose
contextual realities affect their career development.
These findings have implications for policy makes at the level of the school, the
government and community in order to reduce uncertainty and to promote career maturity
in these learners. It is suggested that curriculum packages include grass-roots, community
based programmes, that are sensitive to contextual realities which impact on the career
development of rural black learners.
Description
Thesis (M.A)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.
Keywords
Vocational guidance--South Africa., Career education--South Africa., Career maturity., Students, Black--South Africa., Focus groups., Theses--Psychology.