Kenneth F. Hughey

The Relationship of Psychological Separation and Parental Attachment to the Career Maturity of College Freshmen from Intact Families

This study was designed to investigate how psychological separation and parental attachment are related to career maturity separately and simultaneously and to investigate the influence of gender on the relationships among these variables. Subjects were 82 single white college freshmen from intact families. Data analysis using a canonical correlation analysis revealed that although psychological separation is relevant, parental attachment plays a more important role in career maturity. The relationship among the variables did not differ for men and women. The implications of this study for theory and counseling practice are discussed and recommendations for future research are presented.

Preparing Students for the Future: Making Career Development a Priority

Preparing students for their future roles in the world of work has become increasingly important for school counselors and educators generally. As a result of changes taking place in the workplace, the challenge is to prepare students to enter and be competitive in a world-class workforce (Feller, 1996a). In addition, given the level of competitiveness and the rate of change in the workplace, it is essential that students become as prepared as possible to enhance their chances of success. Further, hopefully, students will be prepared to be contributors to society and have the opportunity to live a satisfying, productive life. It follows that for students to be prepared to meet the challenges of the changing workplace, career development must be a priority. Parsons (1909), the father of vocational guidance, stated.

The Relationship of Psychological Separation and Parental Attachment to the Career Maturity of College

This study was designed to investigate how psychological separation and parental attachment are related to career maturity separately and simultaneously and to investigate the influence of gender on the relationships among these variables. Subjects were 82 single white college freshmen from intact families. Data analysis using a canonical correlation analysis revealed that although psychological separation is relevant, parental attachment plays a more important role in career maturity. The relationship among the variables did not differ for men and women. The implications of this study for theory and counseling practice are discussed and recommendations for future research are presented.

Career Counseling in the Knowledge Age: Implications for Change in School Counselor Education Programs.

The knowledge-based high technology society is rapidly emerging (Drucker, 1994; Marshall & Tucker, 1992). Even today it is inappropriate for most high school leavers to ask the question “Should I go to college or should I go to work?” Instead, today’s question is “Should I go to a four-year college or should I seek some other kind of postsecondary education that will prepare me for entry into the changing primary labor market?” Helping almost all of today’s high school leavers answer this question poses three major challenges for change in the role and function of school counselors and so in school counselor education programs. Today’s school counselors are being challenged to (1) become aware of and knowledgeable about the kinds of occupational and educational changes being created by the emerging knowledge-based society; (2) help high school leavers make reasoned choices regarding the kinds of postsecondary education that will be best for them; and (3) help parents of today’s high school students look objectively at possible alternatives to the four-year collegduniversity degree available for choice by their children. School counselor education programs must equip their graduates with these kinds of skills and expertise. The purpose of this presentation is to offer one specific example of how counselor educators might do so.