The career difficulties of university students in the UK: a qualitative study of the perceptions of UK HE career practitioners

Journal article


Yates, Y. and Hirsh, W. 2024. The career difficulties of university students in the UK: a qualitative study of the perceptions of UK HE career practitioners. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling.
AuthorsYates, Y. and Hirsh, W.
Abstract

Existing research has identified the key career difficulties faced by those making career decisions, but little is known about career practitioners’ perceptions of the career difficulties of university students in the UK. We conducted 22 in depth interviews with Higher Education career practitioners and analysed their data with a Template Analysis – a version of thematic analysis. Three themes were developed incorporating emotions (anxiety and low confidence), cognitions (unrealistic or limited understanding of themselves, of the labour market, of the processes of career choice and of practitioner career support) and behaviours (engaging late with career thinking, a disproportionate focus on CVs and a reluctance to take ownership of career planning). Findings showed that these emotional, cognitive and behavioural career difficulties were interrelated. The findings are discussed with reference to existing theory and theoretical and practical recommendations are made.

Keywordscareer decision making ; higher education ; career difficulties
Year2024
JournalBritish Journal of Guidance & Counselling
PublisherTaylor & Francis
ISSN1469-3534
Web address (URL)https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2024.2412199
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online09 Oct 2024
Publication process dates
Deposited20 Nov 2024
Permalink -

https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/qqz1q/the-career-difficulties-of-university-students-in-the-uk-a-qualitative-study-of-the-perceptions-of-uk-he-career-practitioners

  • 3
    total views
  • 1
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as