Preparing Students for a Bright Outlook: Survey of the Preparation of High School Counselors for Advising on Technician Careers

Authors

Sarah L. Ferguson, Rowan UniversityFollow
Benita Kluttz-Drye, Rowan UniversityFollow
Katrina A. Hovey, Western Oregon UniversityFollow

Keywords

advanced technical careers, STEM technician and technologist, career advising, high school counselors

Disciplines

Educational Psychology | Student Counseling and Personnel Services

Abstract

This paper details a survey study of high school counselors’ awareness of and comfort with advising students in technician/technologist careers. The survey focused on careers designated as Bright Outlook by the US Department of Labor to explore familiarity with these careers, the effectiveness of the current career advising process, and recommendations on additional support or resources. Results indicate participants were more familiar with technician/technologist careers in health and medicine than those in engineering or other areas of science. Counselors acknowledged the importance of familiarity with a career in the career advising process, but communicate a number of challenges they face in meeting this need. The participants provide specific recommendations for additional supports, and future research in this area is recommended.

Recommended Citation

Ferguson, S. L., Kluttz-Drye, B., & Hovey, K. A. (2019). Preparing Students for a Bright Outlook: Survey of the Preparation of High School Counselors for Advising on Technician Careers. Journal of Research in Technical Careers, 3 (1). https://doi.org/10.9741/2578-2118.1046