Undergraduate level, age, volume and pattern of work as predictors of career decision status

Abstract

The impact of undergraduate level, age, volume and pattern of work experience on career decision status was investigated. A sample of 804 first year students and 353 third year students completed measures of career decision status and work experience including amount and pattern of work experience (i.e., full-time, part-time or casual), number of different employers, and number of different jobs. Comparing the effects of age and undergraduate level we determined that age was a better predictor of career decision status, although students across the two undergraduate levels identified different reasons underlying their status. Volume of work rather than pattern of work determined variability in scores on the career measures. Breadth of work experience measured by number of jobs and employers did not influence career decision status. Implications for future research and vocational counselling are discussed.