PERCEPTIONS OF YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARD CAREER EDUCATION NEEDS

Abstract

There is a great need to assist the Yeshiva high school student in planning their future career direction. This population is primarily college oriented and will therefore be called upon to select a major within the next two years. This decision has clear implications for an ultimate career choice.;Many of these decisions are based on vague and incorrect perceptions of the available career options. Consequences such as loss of time, opportunities, finances, and diminished self-respect can result from these incorrect perceptions.;The researcher has chosen to study this situation by employing a survey questionnaire instrument to ascertain the interest of a sample of 330 Yeshiva high school students in a series of career exploration opportunities. Students were questioned as to their interest in participating in each of four career oriented courses in high school. These included a certified training course, a specific career information course, a multiple information careers course, and a college majors information course. In addition, a survey instrument sought respondents' perceptions of the certainty of their career plans, the factors influencing these plans, and the areas seen as most problematic.;The results indicate that the majority of respondents had not decided upon a specific career at the time of their junior or senior year in high school. The great majority planned to attend college, but were unsure of what to major in in college and many were not even sure of their interests. Fifty two percent of the respondents indicated a desire to participate in the course leading to a certificate, ninety two percent were interested in taking a course in a single career, seventy percent selected a course describing various careers, and eighty three percent chose the course describing college majors and the careers they can lead to.;The responses to this questionnaire indicate a strong interest in these career education courses which would clarify the opportunities and options that exist. By so doing, much of the future uncertainty would be alleviated, and hundreds of Yeshiva high school students guided toward a more sound and secure future.