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Describe what brought you to this research:
My project grew out of concern with the lack of parental engagement at my fieldwork site, a public charter high school in a semi-rural Southern California community, as well as an absence of a career development curriculum within the site’s guidance program.
What was your specific research question?
The overarching purpose of this action research project was to strengthen my practice by helping parents engage in their students’ career development through the utilization of a web-based program, Family Connection. In the USD School Counseling specialization, graduate students often conduct action research projects focused on strengthening some aspect of school counseling practice. These projects fit on the branch of the action research family tree committed to professional development.
What are you currently doing as a credentialed practicioner?
I am currently currently a Career Counselor at UC San Diego coordinating various career related programs- such as the “Careers in Communication Mixer”, the “International Alumni Success Stories” panel discussion, and several career discovery and job search strategies and workshops. Additionally, I work closely with students on career topics which include: resume and cover letter writing, exploring various career options, job and internship search strategies, interview skills, networking, and salary negotiation.
Career Development Through a Web Based Application
Career Development Through a Web Based Application
Abstract
Abstract
While there is limited research examining how parental support affects adolescent career development and career self-efficacy (Oyserman, Brickman, & Rhodes, 2007; Turner & Lapan, 2002), many studies point to the importance of parent engagement associated with better school outcomes and student success (Jeynes, 2007; Mapp, 2002; Oyserman, Brickman, & Rhodes, 2007). The purpose of my action research project was to strengthen my counseling practices by addressing parent engagement with regard to their student’s post-secondary planning using Family Connection, a feature of the Naviance, a college and career readiness web-based platform that helps connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals. The project involved implementing a “Family Connection Parent Workshop” to train parents on how to effectively utilize the Family Connections program, followed by a parent-student assignment that included career exploration activities for the parent and student to do together. The assignment allowed parents to learn more about their student’s career interests by engaging in various career exploration activities within Family Connection. Results from the workshop indicated that parents found Family Connection to be a helpful tool for college and career planning. Findings also showed that parents who engaged in the parent-student assignment found it to be beneficial. This small scale exploratory study also revealed a variety of barriers to parent engagement that the school site in question will have to overcome if parent engagement is to become a meaningful part of the school. Lastly, the project provided the researcher with increased awareness of the need for careful planning of initiatives intended to reach out to, and engaged with, parents of high school students.
To explore more of Aneesha's action research, see the file provided below:
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