Post-secondary preparation experiences of students enrolled in a technical college

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20289633

Post-secondary preparation and planning is an integral component of secondary education. Despite goals of preparing high school students to be college and career ready, very little research has focused on the perspectives of students experiencing the post-secondary preparation curriculum of high schools. This interpretative phenomenological analysis investigated the post-secondary preparation experiences of graduates of the local school district who enrolled in a technical post-secondary training program. Results show that these students found little purpose in their high school education and perceived bias by their schools in favor of traditional university going students. Further evidence indicated that the students experienced minimal career exploration activities within their high school education. However, these students placed great value on career center courses during high school and were confident and purposeful in their pursuit of a technical degree. This study reveals the importance of a complete and comprehensive career development program integrated into the general curriculum that equally supports a range of career fields. Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) provides the framework from which to understand the development of career interests and how intervention strategies may be implemented to strengthen students' career development.