Where do I go without qualifications?: an exploration of positive influences on post school career pathways

Abstract

This is a study of the career pathways of young people who have left school with low academic qualifications and made a successful transition to further education, training or work. It investigates student's perceptions of influences that have had a positive effect on this transition. Eight former students were interviewed and these interviews revealed different career pathways. The research examined these young peoples' perceptions of positive influences they experienced in the secondary school system that helped them make the transition from school. Their stories focus on aspects of school programmes that empowered them and influenced them into positive career pathways. The context of the student's decision making was considered by applying McMahon's (1993)Career Decision Making Contextual model. This introduced the students and examined their school, community and social context. The next section analysed the data gathered from the individual interviews. A career education model, Careers Work by Law (1993), was used as the structure for this analysis. This model discusses five concepts: matching, enabling, coaching, networking and educating. The findings from this analysis revealed the importance of each of the concepts. These concepts were applied individually and then I considered the intersections of the concepts. From these findings a set of recommendations were developed and these form the final section of this report. This is an action research study and concludes with a set of recommendations that could be incorporated into school programmes to assist other students to make successful transitions. The strongest recommendation suggests that although these concepts are important individually it is important to provide a comprehensive, holistic programme that includes all five concepts.