Vocational Preference Research Articles

BIM-181: Revising the Public Domain “Basic Interest Markers” Using Item Response Theory

The present study investigated the psychometric properties of the Basic Interest Markers (BIM), a public-domain broadband measure of basic interests. Unlike broader general interest frameworks such as Holland’s RIASEC types, basic interests represent more specific content domains and provide a granular view of vocational preferences and inclinations. We used Item Response Theory (IRT) to perform item analysis to identify the most informative items in each BIM scale and, by extension, reduce scale lengths. In addition, we used confirmatory factor analysis to test model fit for the BIM scales and previously suggested higher-order clusters. Data were drawn from a total of 2,009 participants, comprising two samples of undergraduate college students ( N = 910 and N = 120) and samples of 164 university alumni and 815 adults recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Our analysis demonstrated that latent trait estimates obtained from the BIM-343 were similar to those of our proposed modified BIM-181, with model fit favoring the latter. Overall, we provide support for the use of a modified version of the BIM inventory that more accurately captures the intended construct while simultaneously reducing test length by nearly 50%.

An Investigation into Vocational Preferences among University Students: A Case Study of Lahore Pakistan

The preference for general academic degrees over technical education among youth in Pakistan is a trend that has been observed in recent years. This trend may be attributed to several factors, such as the perception that general academic degrees are more prestigious than technical education degrees, the belief that general academic degrees offer more diverse career opportunities and lack of awareness about the benefits of technical education. The preference for general academic degrees over technical education is not unique to Pakistan. This trend may be observed in many other countries as well. Therefore, the current study aimed to learn from student`s observations enrolled in general academic degrees to implement best practices in order to address this trend in Pakistan. A multifaceted approach was required to address the preference for general academic degrees over technical education among youth in Pakistan. This multifaceted approach focused on raising awareness, improving the quality of technical education programs, addressing the underlying factors, and learning from the experiences of other countries. Data was collected via a cross-sectional survey from the students of University of Management and Technology (UMT). The statistical results showed a significant association among low preference for technical education, preference for general university education, and preference for a white-collar job. Therefore, it was crucial to raise awareness regarding the benefits of technical education to address this trend. These benefits include development of practical skills, potential for higher earning, and alignment with the needs of labor market.

All the Working World’s A Stage: Narcissism, Work Values, and Vocational Preferences

Prior research has established that individuals high in narcissism may favor certain professions over others, but the reasons for this remain speculative. The present study employs the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Concept model to differentiate between two motivational drivers of narcissism – admiration (desire for praise) and rivalry (desire to denigrate others) – and explores their influence on vocational preferences in an online sample of 386 full-time U.S. employees. Further, we examine the role of work values (achievement, comfort, status, altruism, safety, autonomy) as mediators in these preferences. By understanding how narcissism’s two dimensions shape interest in various vocations, we expand upon previous research on subclinical personality and career preferences, offering organizations a way to proactively identify workers with potentially derailing personality characteristics. Finding that work values mediate the relationship between narcissism and vocational interests suggests the importance of investigating this mediating mechanism with other bright and dark traits.

Spherical model of vocational interests – verification of the concept and measurement method

Introduction: The Spherical Model of Interests and Competence Beliefs (Tracey, Rounds, 1996a, 1996b) integrates Holland’s (1985, 1997) RIASEC theory and the People/Things Data/Ideas dimensions by Prediger (1982), supplementing them with a third dimension of vocational interests: prestige. The aim of the study was to verify the spherical model of vocational interests in a sample of Polish adults and to present the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Personal Globe Inventory – Short (Tracey, 2002). The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using measures of internal consistency. The theoretical validity was examined through confirmatory factor analysis, randomization test of hypothesized order relations, and correlations with other measures of vocational interests and life aspirations. Method: The study involved 513 students and working individuals aged 18 to 58 (M = 24.5; SD = 9.1). Among the participants, 67% were women. To assess the criterion validity of the adapted tool, the Multi–Aspect Assessment of Vocational Preferences (Paszkowska-Rogacz, 2013) and the Kasser and Ryan Index of Life Aspirations (2005) in the Polish adaptation by Górnik-Durose and Janiec (2010) were used. Results: The obtained results confirm the satisfactory psychometric properties of polish version of PGI–S. Eight basic interests were found to be positively and significantly statistically related to their corresponding interest areas according to Holland's concept. High prestige was positively associated with life aspirations such as image, popularity, self-acceptance, spirituality, and hedonism. Low prestige correlated positively with self-acceptance and health, and negatively with security. The results also indicated the existence of differences in the structure of interests between women and men. Conclusions: The obtained results confirm the spherical structure of vocational interests in the examined sample. Further research on occupational prestige and cultural differences in its perception seems warranted.

Exploring Children's representations of work: A review investigating content and influences

Middle childhood has been identified as a critical period regarding the exploration and construction of the self, with strong implications for future vocational choices and occupational trajectories. Due to a shortage of both theoretical models and empirical data, a knowledge gap remains as regards children's perceptions and understandings of the concept of work between the ages of 5–8, and the differential variables influencing these representations. This review aims to fill this gap by providing relevant information with respect to the investigation of the content of children's representations of work, as well as the factors influencing them. Considering the lack of papers covering this topic, this article approaches the subject through adjacent angles such as adult and adolescent representations of work, children's representations of occupations, and children's vocational preferences or career development. A theoretical model of children's mental representations of work is presented, and general methodological avenues are proposed to pursue further investigation on this research topic.

대학전공선택검사의 성차에 의한 차별기능문항 탐색

Objectives Paying attention to the phenomenon of a gender gap in the choice of a major in the engineering de-partment, this study set out to examine whether there was differential item functioning by gender and what caused it by analyzing the items related to engineering in the Korean College Major Interest Inventory, 2nd Edition(KCMII-2).
 Methods For this purpose, the study used the data of 9,069 respondents who answered the activity preference items and the data of 9,040 respondents who answered the vocational preference items in the engineering sec-tion of the inventory in its analysis before checking if the data met the normal distribution and unidimensionality assumption requirements. Differential item functioning was extracted with the ‘lordif’ package of R and the PARSCALE program. The items whose differential function was found both in the programs were chosen as the final differential item functioning.
 Results The results of testing the assumption of unidimensionality suggested the possibility of other dimensions of latent trait beyond activity and career preferences. Subsequent analysis conducted through differential item functioning analysis revealed that nine out of the 30 activity preference items and seven out of the 30 vocational preference items were extracted as differential item functioning. All these items except for one activity preference item were favorable to female students. The activity preference items whose differential function included majors in life science and biotechnology, computer software, environmental studies and energy, and chemistry and chemical engineering. In terms of career preference, the differential functioning items encompassed majors in life science and biotechnology, chemistry and chemical engineering, and environmental studies and energy.
 Conclusions The study then inferred the causes of the differential item function extracted based on the findings and discussed the future direction of career education to help high school students overcome the gender gap in the choice of an engineering career and make a reasonable and sustainable career and occupation choice.

The development and validation of student career planning inventory (SCPI)

The fluctuating, dynamic and unpredictable development of the work setting Emphasizes the significance of career planning. However, there is still no measurement tool for planning skills based on career construction theory. The objective of this research is to develop and validate an inventory that can measure the level of students' career planning skills based on career construction theory. This research used the ADDIE research design with five development stages including analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The resulting items amounted to 29 statement items developed from three indicators that are crystallization of vocational preferences, specification of occupational choice and actualization of occupational choice. 112 vocational students were involved in the process of analyzing the instrument validity and reliability. The results of the analysis with the Pearson Product Moment Correlation test resulted in an r-count value above 0.5 with an r-table of 0.195 so that the instrument has high validity. The reliability test with Cronbach's Alpha resulted in a value of 0.972 so that the instrument is highly reliable. Exploratory factor analysis also resulted in the finding that the inventory items developed were formed by three factors namely crystallization of vocational preferences, specification of occupational choices, and actualization of occupational choices.

Correction to: A Systematic Review of Vocational Preference Assessment Research by Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Correction to: A Systematic Review of Vocational Preference Assessment Research by Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

IMPACT OF CAREER INTERVENTION ON VOCATIONAL PREFERENCE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS OF NIGERIA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

This comparative study aimed to assess the impact of career intervention on the vocational preference of secondary school students in the Hadejia Emirate of Jigawa State Nigeria. The research objectives included examining the effects of career intervention on vocational preference before and after the intervention, exploring gender differences in the intervention's impact, and investigating variations in the intervention's effect among students in different academic fields. A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving a pre-test post-test control group approach. Twelve secondary schools were randomly selected from the Hadejia, Kafin Hausa, and Birniwa education zones, with a sample size of 240 students evenly distributed between male and female participants. The research instrument, the Students' Vocational Preference Scale (SVPS), consisted of demographic information and statements related to vocational preference. The SVPS utilized a five-point Likert scale, and its validity and reliability were established through expert review and test-retest procedures. Statistical analysis involved paired-sample t-tests, independent sample t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study's findings indicated a significant difference in the effect of career intervention on vocational preference, suggesting a positive impact on students' vocational preferences. However, the intervention's effect did not significantly differ among students in commercial, arts, and science fields. Career intervention was not Gender sensitive. The study contributes to the understanding of the effectiveness of career interventions for secondary school students in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of providing guidance and support to facilitate informed career decision-making.

A Systematic Review of Vocational Preference Assessment Research by Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

A Systematic Review of Vocational Preference Assessment Research by Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Sex differences in spatial and mechanical tilt: Support for investment theories

Tilt refers to a pattern of specific abilities and is based on within subject differences in two abilities (spatial and academic), yielding relative strength in one ability (spatial) and weakness in another ability (academic). The current study examined sex differences in spatial and mechanical tilt. Tilt was measured using the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Tilt was based on spatial and mechanical abilities contrasted with academic abilities (math or verbal), producing spatial and mechanical tilt (spatial/mechanical > academic) and academic tilt (academic > spatial/mechanical). For males and females, spatial and mechanical tilt correlated negatively with verbal and math scores on college tests (SAT, ACT, PSAT), indicating that spatial and mechanical tilt predicted low scores on the college tests. In addition, for males and females, spatial and mechanical tilt predicted jobs and college majors in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), with stronger effects for spatial and mechanical tilt contrasted with verbal ability. Although levels of mechanical tilt were higher for males, levels of spatial tilt showed no sex differences, a pattern that could be attributed to the spatial ability measured (visualization). In addition, no consistent sex differences in tilt relations with diverse criteria (tests, jobs, majors) were found. The results support investment theories and research on sex differences in vocational preferences for people versus things. Such theories assume that males prefer working with things and machines, boosting mechanical tilt, whereas females prefer working with people and in (non-technical) humanities fields, boosting academic tilt. Future research should consider tilt patterns in other developmental periods and examine whether tilt varies with ability level, as predicted by differentiation theories.

Vocational Preference Tendency Analysis of Maritime Transportation Management Engineering Undergraduate Students

Maritime is an essential profession for both our country and the world. 80-90% of the world trade volume is carried out through the seas and naturally seafarers. The most important part of the maritime profession is undoubtedly education. It is known that education at international standards in the field of maritime is provided by the standards of training certification and watchkeeping (STCW), published by the international maritime organization (IMO), and the flag state carries out the inspections. In order to receive undergraduate and associate degree education in the field of maritime in our country, it is necessary to enter the university exam and choose the relevant department of the university and win. The study aims to understand better the education and career paths chosen by maritime transportation management engineering students. This study aims to determine the preference tendencies of the students who prefer this department in universities that provide education in the maritime transport management engineering department and examine the professions that the students choose outside the department. As a result of the evaluations, the most popular preferences among the students who won maritime transportation management engineering were computer engineering, ship machinery management engineering, electrical-electronic engineering, and nursing departments. The increase in the score in the YKS exam has had a significant and negative effect on the rate of students choosing maritime transportation management engineering. The data in this study were obtained from the YÖK Atlas database.

Machine Learning and Prediction in Psychological Assessment

Abstract. Modern prediction methods from machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming increasingly popular, also in the field of psychological assessment. These methods provide unprecedented flexibility for modeling large numbers of predictor variables and non-linear associations between predictors and responses. In this paper, we aim to look at what these methods may contribute to the assessment of criterion validity and their possible drawbacks. We apply a range of modern statistical prediction methods to a dataset for predicting the university major completed, based on the subscales and items of a scale for vocational preferences. The results indicate that logistic regression combined with regularization performs strikingly well already in terms of predictive accuracy. More sophisticated techniques for incorporating non-linearities can further contribute to predictive accuracy and validity, but often marginally.

Segregated Work or Very Minimal Community Employment for Job Workers with Disabilities

In comparison to work centers, supported employment is the more favorable method to advance people with disabilities into the workforce. One of the central goals of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is to increase supported employment and community job opportunities for people with disabilities by phasing out 14 (c) certificates. Work centers use such certificates to pay people subminimum wages; without a 14 (c) certificate, work centers will close. Though supported employment creates equitable opportunities for job seekers with disabilities, such opportunities are undesirable for some. To emphasize this, the author interprets quantitative data pertaining to job seekers/workers in Walla Walla County, Washington. Walla Walla County, located in rural southeastern Washington, is home to approximately 60,760 residents. While the majority of those within this study’s sample hold community jobs, they, on average, are employed for less than half of the hours they prefer to work. To understand how these limited weekly hour schedules are created, an employment consultant’s role is considered in great detail. While workforce inclusion is an unquestionably necessary goal for people with disabilities, their vocational preferences should not be secondary to the possible benefits of community employment.

A Study on Fundamental Molding Using Multiple Intelligence Theory and Holland Theory Focusing on Footwear Molding Lecture

최근 초·중·고 및 대학교 등 각 학교에서 진로를 탐색하고 자신의 강점을 알고 계발하도록 도와주는 홀랜드 이론을 접목한 진로 관련 수업 및 검사와 다중지능 이론을 중심으로 각 영역별 지능을 발전시킬 수 있는 교수법을 수업에 적용하며 다양한 교육을 진행하고 있다. 이 연구는 학생들의 진로와 적성에 맞는 직업을 찾아가는 과정을 도울 수 있는 다중지능 이론 기반의 직업적성검사와 홀랜드 이론을 기반으로 한 직업선호도검사를 통해 자신의 강점과 성향을 파악하고, 이것을 디자인 전공과목과 융합하여 주제 선정과 시각 이미지 그리고 입체 조형물로 표현해보는 과정을 경험하도록 하였다. 학생들에게 자신에 대한 성찰과 함께 예술적, 사회적 감각과 인간친화, 대인관계, 자연친화, 공간지능 등의 감각을 함께 계발을 기대하는 수업을 설계하여 4주간 진행하였다. 학생들은 각 주차에 맞게 작업과 피드백을 주고받으며 작품을 완성해나가며 주차별 피드백을 적극적으로 반영하여 최종 총평을 발표하며 자신에 대해 생각하고 풋웨어 조형이라는 매개체를 통해 자신의 어떤 점이 계발되었고 어떤 것을 느끼게 되었는지를 이야기해보았다. 이를 통해 다양한 감각과 다중지능 영역이 발전되었음을 엿볼 수 있었으며 앞으로의 다양한 전공 분야에서의 융합 수업이 개발되고 시행되기를 기대해본다.Recently, various education is being conducted by applying career-related classes and tests that combine Holland s theory, which helps elementary, middle, and high schools explore careers, know and develop multiple intelligence theories, and apply teaching methods to each field. This study identifies one s strengths and tendencies through multiple intelligence theory-based vocational aptitude tests and Holland theory-based vocational preference tests that can help students find jobs that suit their careers and aptitudes, and experience themselves, art, social and human intelligence. Students exchanged work and feedback for each week, actively sharing feedback on it, and presenting final reviews, thinking about themselves and talking about what they developed and felt through the medium of footwear sculpture. Through this, it was possible to get a glimpse of the development of various senses and multiple intelligence areas, and we look forward to the development and implementation of convergence classes in various major fields in the future.

Exploring paramedicine student preferences using Holland's vocational theory: A cross-sectional study.

Holland's RIASEC typology is a classification of vocational personality types and work environments. Having a predisposition for their vocation, in terms of a personality that is congruent to their work environment, may be protective for paramedics with regards to both their mental and physical health. The purpose of this study was to identify paramedicine students' vocational preference according to Holland's RIASEC model. Bachelor of Paramedicine degree students in the three different year levels completed the 48-item Brief RIASEC Marker Scales to determine their order of the six RIASEC personality types. In this study, the paramedicine students' three most dominant personality types were Social-Investigative-Artistic, differing from the defined Holland Occupational Code for paramedics of Realistic-Social-Investigative. Male students scored significantly higher on the Reality personality type, whereas female students scored significantly higher on the Social personality type. Overall, this study found many students to possess two of the three dominant personality traits that form the desired Holland code for paramedics. This suggests that many students may be better able to cope with the demands of the paramedicine profession upon employment.

Examining Holland’s model for Ecuadorian youth. Tool development and psychometric implications for vocational counseling

Holland’s (1997) scale is one of the most frequently used measures of vocational personality. The study describes the multiphase development and cultural validation of a short version of the sixfactor scale on a representative sample of 1735 Ecuadorian undergraduates. The Questionnaire of Vocational Preferences of Youth (Inventario de las Preferencias Profesionales de Jovenes: IPPJ) as the first culturally-rooted tool for Ecuadorian youth corresponds with the circular model by Holland (1997). Factorial analysis (EFA and CFA), validity, follow-up study, and reliability indicators support the factorial equivalence of the new, short version of the IPPJ. Some practical implications are outlined for vocational guidance in Ecuador.

Imitating Human Emotions with a NAO Robot as Interviewer Playing the Role of Vocational Tutor

This paper proposes an intelligent system that can hold an interview, using a NAO robot as interviewer playing the role of vocational tutor. For that, twenty behaviors within five personality profiles are classified and categorized into NAO. Five basic emotions are considered: anger, boredom, interest, surprise, and joy. Selected behaviors are grouped according to these five different emotions. Common behaviors (e.g., movements or body postures) used by the robot during vocational guidance sessions are based on a theory of personality traits called the “Five-Factor Model”. In this context, a predefined set of questions is asked by the robot—according to a theoretical model called the “Orientation Model”—about the person’s vocational preferences. Therefore, NAO could react as conveniently as possible during the interview, according to the score of the answer given by the person to the question posed and its personality type. Additionally, based on the answers to these questions, a vocational profile is established, and the robot could provide a recommendation about the person’s vocation. The results show how the intelligent selection of behaviors can be successfully achieved through the proposed approach, making the Human–Robot Interaction friendlier.

Sex differences in tech tilt: Support for investment theories

This study examined sex differences in tech tilt, based on within-subject differences in technical abilities (e.g., mechanical and electrical) and academic abilities (math or verbal) on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The within-subject differences produced two types of tilt: tech tilt (tech > academic), indicating stronger technical abilities, and academic tilt (academic > tech), indicating stronger academic abilities. Tech tilt was correlated with math and verbal abilities on college aptitude tests (SAT, ACT, PSAT) and with jobs and college majors in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and humanities. Males showed a tech tilt bias, and females showed an academic tilt bias. The tilt biases persisted after controlling for general intelligence (g). Tech tilt correlated negatively with academic abilities on the college aptitude tests (SAT, ACT, PSAT), with larger effects for females. In addition, relations of tech tilt with STEM jobs and majors were generally larger (and more often significant) for males, but only for tech tilt based on technical and verbal abilities. The negative relations of tech tilt with academic abilities on the college aptitude tests are consistent with investment theories, which predict that investment in one ability (technical) comes at the expense of competing abilities (academic). The sex differences in tech tilt and STEM support trait complexes involving abilities, interests, and vocational preferences (e.g., people versus things). Future research should examine whether spatial abilities and vocational interests mediate relations of tech tilt with sex and STEM criteria.

IMPLEMENTASI TEORI DONALD E. SUPER PADA PROGRAM LAYANAN BK KARIR DI SMK

The implementation of the Donald E. Super vocational education theory is directed towards graduates having professional insight that can affect quality which has four aspects of planning, exploration, informational competence, and decision making. In the age phase of SMK graduates around 18-21 years is a transition period from tentative professional vocational towards specific vocational preferences. Vocational students have characteristics of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, moral, and religious aspects. The career guidance work program at the Vocational School begins with preparation which includes assessing needs, obtaining support from the principal, and establishing the basis for program planning. Preparation of the annual counseling program includes rational, legal basis, vision and mission, description of needs, objectives, program components, service areas, operational plans, theme development, evaluation plans, infrastructure, and cost budgets, Develop activity plans covering competency standard objectives, classes, program components, service strategies, materials, methods, media, evaluation and equivalents.