Factors Predictive of the Range of Occupations Considered by African American Juniors and Seniors in High School

Abstract

This study assesses factors predictive of the range of possible occupations considered by 166 African American high school students. There are no differences in the number of African American representative occupations (those in which 13.5% or more employees were African American) considered compared to nonrepresentative occupations (those with less than 5% African American employees). The results support the hypothesized relations among occupational self-efficacies, interests, and considered occupations. Perceived career barriers decrease the importance of occupational self-efficacy in predicting number of considered occupations. Racial identity is not related to the number of considered occupations.