The Effect of Social Variables on the Career Aspirations of Indigenous Adults in New Brunswick
Keywords:
Canadian indigenous peoples, career aspirationsAbstract
A recent survey of Indigenous peoples in New Brunswick by the Joint Economic Development Initiative Inc. (JEDI) collected data regarding social factors that influence career aspirations. These social variables included: gender, marital status, education level, social welfare dependency, and mobility. These variables were analyzed for their significant differences with career aspirations, measured by O*Net Job Zones. A final data set of 202 survey respondents was used for data analysis. The results aligned with Gottfredson’s theory of compromise and circumscription as preparation showed a significant effect with
career aspirations. Factors outside of that framework, including marital status, gender, social dependence, and mobility, were also analyzed. The findings showed that women participants had greater career aspirations than men, and that less mobile participants had higher career interests. Implications for
Indigenous career development theory, future research, and career counselling are discussed.
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