Group career development of rural learners through group-based career construction counselling : intervention research

Abstract

The aim with this research was to explore the influence of group-based career construction counselling on learners' career development in a rural school. Convenience and purposive non-probability sampling were used to select a group of 15 Grade 9 learners aged between 14 and 18 to participate in the study. An interpretive paradigm (drawing from the constructivist worldview) underpinned the study. Data were generated by employing multiple qualitative sources, including pre- and post- intervention semi-structured group interviews, documents in the form of collages and timelines compiled by participants, the researcher's reflective journal and the career interest profile. A non-linear iterative, thematic analysis process was conducted to identify themes that emerged from the datasets. The findings reveal that group-based career construction counselling enhances learners' career development in a rural school by facilitating the addressing of subject choices early in Grade 9 as a key element in children's career development. Moreover, such intervention offers numerous benefits to young learners, including enhanced self- and career awareness. In future research it should be considered assessing the value of career construction counselling in the changing world of work to benefit learners' career development in the 21st century and beyond.