Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Anne Mulder
Committee Member
Larry McCarthy
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
administrative council, administrators, alumni services, Anderson College, assessment, career counseling, career development, career interest inventories, career planning, career planning and placement model, career services, career services centers, career services professionals, classroom integration, communication, continuous review, current students, data collection, development project, employment, evaluation, faculty, freshmen students, graduate employment survey, implementation, institutional improvement, interviews, model approval, needs assessment, ongoing assessment, placement services, professionals, qualitative research, quantitative research, questionnaires, responsible party, stakeholder communication, stakeholders, staff, student services, students, survey research, technology, unemployed students, web counseling, workforce placement, workplace satisfaction
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to provide a suggested comprehensive career planning counseling and effective placement services for students at Anderson College with a plan for implementation and evaluation. This development project enabled the researcher to review several components of Career Services models for inclusion in the design appropriate for the students.
The college has not provided comprehensive career planning counseling and effective placement services. A number of students are unemployed, dissatisfied, and frustrated, or at least the ones calling the college are having difficulty finding employment. The researcher conducted an investigation to identify significant information pertaining to the intent of this project. This investigator explored published career planning and placement models as it relates to the development of career services. It proved to be resourceful to investigate the use of technology in career services while reviewing the integration of career planning in the classroom.
Four data collection instruments were developed: (a) Questionnaire for Freshmen Students, (b) Graduate Employment Survey, (c) Questionnaire for Current Students, and (d) Interview sessions with Career Services Professionals. An analysis of collected data revealed information to consider in the development of this product.
The results show how obtaining input from students and professionals can aid in the development of a Career Planning and Placement Model. The results further supported the notion that students and professionals differ in terms of elements of importance for the model. It can be concluded that all research questions were answered with supportive qualitative or quantitative information. Furthermore, it can be concluded that based on the professionals’ and students’ input, a model inclusive of organized sequential elements, reference of the responsible party, and a method of evaluation for freshman through Alumni/Extended services may prove to be helpful for Anderson College students.
The three recommendations will allow various administrators, select faculty and staff to be involved with the proposed model. Administrators will be instrumental in the final approval of the model. The Administrative Council will gain input from select faculty and staff members to determine the appropriate means of communicating the model with internal and external stakeholders. It is further recommended that ongoing assessment of the model be initiated. Continuous reviews and revisions will enable the institution to modify the model to meet the needs of students.