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An investigation into the benefits of Careers Guidance
This project, undertaken in 2001, examined the benefits of Careers Guidance for Open University students in receipt of financial awards. It stemmed from concerns that students in this group may need more than just financial support in order to be motivated to continue with their studies. The finding from the report suggest that the value of careers guidance provision, its relationship to achievement and retention across the whole student cohort is worth further investigation.
Key findings after analysing comments from students were:
- Many students wanted careers discussion in order to support course choice and to confirm that it would fit-in with career plans
- Many participating in the project were motivated to continue their studies
- Many wanted to confirm existing career ideas or wanted information
- Some students had a poor awareness of career planning and how they could use previous skills and qualifications to support and inform future career plans
- Some students were following inappropriate courses to achieve their career aims (and subsequently changed their course reservations)
- Some students had unrealistic career aspirations (due to age, skills, study achievements) which indicated a lack of job market knowledge
- The majority found the careers experience to be useful
The percentage of students registering for 2002 was greater from the cohort participating in the project (55%) than the client group being investigated in total (42%).
Students participating in the project and receiving careers guidance achieved greater success in their studies (pass rate of 72.5%), than the cohort in total (pass rate of 34%). Although this cannot be fully attributed to the provision of careers advice, it may indicate the motivating effect of one-to-one guidance.
Last modified
2004-09-02 11:03 AM
Last cached: 2008-05-19 05:32 PM
Last cached: 2008-05-19 05:32 PM