The Career Pattern of Ndea Elementary School Counselors

Birashk, Behrooz

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Description

Title

The Career Pattern of Ndea Elementary School Counselors

Author(s)

Birashk, Behrooz

Issue Date

1979

Department of Study

Education

Discipline

Education

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Education, Guidance and Counseling

Language

eng

Abstract

• The focus of the study is on the 13-year career pattern of the individuals who were trained as elementary school counselors in 1965-67 under the National Defense Education Act at the University of Illinois. Also, the study is an attempt to provide information as to whether the intent of the federally-funded training program was accomplished. The major questions are as follows: (1) What was the nature of career pattern development of the subjects after training? How many times did they change occupations? (2) Were there any relationships between parents' education and occupation and those of the subjects? (3) Was there any relationship between age and mobility? (4) Had there been discrimination barriers in getting hired? (5) What were the elements of satisfaction and dissatisfaction for school counselors and those who left counseling? (6) What were the commonalities and differences between subjects on their scholastic aptitude, interest and personality tests?
• The sample was composed of 46 subjects from a population of 60 NDEA participants. The Career Pattern Questionnaire, an instrument developed by the researcher, and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Strong Vocational Interest Blank (SVIB), and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) were the primary data sources used in the study. The subjects were classified into sub-groups on the bases of current job, education level, and entry or non-entry to elementary school counseling. Chi-square and analysis of variance, ANOVA, were used to analyze the data.
• The results indicate that 65 percent of the subjects entered elementary counseling following preparation. Some of them switched to other occupations in the last 13 years. Of those 30 entry individuals, 8 remained as elementary counselors, 3 re-entered teaching, 9 switched to occupations related to counseling, and 10 became administrators. Sixteen individuals earned additional degrees after the Institute. Most of those with doctoral degrees switched to the university setting.
• Over time there was less mobility for the elementary school counselors because there was a greater congruency between job expectation and job satisfaction. There was no relationship between age and occupational mobility, the level of schooling of parents, their occupation and those of the subjects. Sex, age and race were barriers for subjects in getting hired. For counselors, the opportunity to enter people's lives, help them to solve problems, and have contact with children and parents were important factors of satisfaction. Those who left counseling were dissatisfied with varied administrative demands, the lack of understanding, lack of support, and finally, working conditions.
• There were no aptitude differences between sub-groups, but some interest and personality differences were found. Those who entered elementary counseling following preparation, and those who did not enter, differed on the SVIB Psychologist, Veterinarian, and Specialization level and on the MMPI Hysteria (Hy) scale. Elementary counselors, administrators, and those in occupations related to counseling differed on the SVIB Psychologist and Specialization level, and on the MMPI Masculinity-Feminity (MF). Those who earned an additional degree, and those who did not earn one, differed on the SVIB Physician, Osteopath, and Purchasing Agent and on the MMPI Lie (L) and Paranoia (Pa) scales. Those who responded and those who did not respond to the study differed on SVIB Industrial Teacher, Vocational Teacher, CPA, Sales Manager, Advertising Man, and Specialization scales and also on the MMPI Psychopathic (Pd) scale.
• The research concluded that the number of individuals who were trained as elementary counselors and who committed themselves to the field was minimal. Also it is concluded that the school counseling position was an entry job for many of those individuals who desired to work at the institutional setting.

Graduation Semester

1979

Type of Resource

text

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