An investigation into the vocational preferences of 420 New Zealand girls who will shortly leave post-primary schools

Abstract

When a girl leaves school to enter an occupation it is desirable that she should choose her work in conformity with a developed occupational preference. The background of this preference should include a critical appraisal of her suitability for her chosen occupation. It should also include a knowledge of the requirements and opportunities of other occupations to ensure that she has made a critical choice. A good deal of work has been done in connection with suitability, or vocational selection in terms of aptitudes, attainments, temperament and physical make-up. On the nature of the vocational preferences of New Zealand school-girls and on the standard of their vocational knowledge there is little available data. This survey was planned to collect material on these two aspects. An indication of the terms in which the girls think of various occupations, together with the gaps in their vocational knowledge, may prove of assistance to workers in vocational guidance and industrial psychology in the field of vocational education and selection. In addition, the material may prove of use to employers who desire to attract girls into particular occupations.