Quality of career dialogues in higher vocational education A case study

Abstract

Principles of competence based education in the Netherlands show the significance of good career counseling, especially the importance of career dialogues. To date, there is little insight into such conversations between student and career counsellor. The aim of this case study was to gain insight into the quality of career dialogues in higher vocational education, at the study for Cesar therapy. Therefore, the career oriented attitude, reflection and self regulation (of students) in career dialogues was measured among fourth year students and their counselors, and compared to second year students. Furthermore the relationship between student and counsellor was investigated. Results show that counsellors mainly regulated conversations, that there were just a few reflections and that little attention was paid to career oriented topics. Furthermore, it is suggested that there exist a discrepancy between what are good career dialogues according to students and counsellors and which is qualitatively good according to the literature. Finally, no clear difference between second year students and fourth year students has been found.