Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Business

Department

Continuing Education

First Advisor

Dr. Angela Wright

Abstract

This study is an investigation across second-level, third-level and adult-level career guidance services in Ireland. This study particularly focuses on the different career guidance services available to the Irish population and how people use these services to help them in making academic and professional decisions. Many difficulties are encountered by people making critical choices on course and career options in order to progress.

The recent downturn in the Irish economy has had a significant effect on educational and career paths of the Irish population. Job losses and redundancies have led to an increase in unemployment rates. A significant amount of people are facing challenging career changes, with some having to re-train and up- skill in completely new professions. The surge in people returning to education is phenomenal. There is an ever increasing demand on career guidance services due to raised anxieties in dealing with these difficult transitions. Greater competition for jobs and an increased expectation level from employers with regards to qualification levels amounts to rising pressure on people to succeed with their careers. This research study recommends that career guidance services need to implement innovative measures to improve their services in order to meet the critical needs of the Irish population.

This research is concerned with presenting an overview of the current career guidance services in Ireland and an examination of how these services are used. The findings demonstrate that innovative changes in career guidance services are vital in order to expand career guidance to a superior level in Ireland. These future innovative measures must begin with the Irish youth, instilling guidance, interests and passions at a primary school level. For young adults transitioning from school to college level it is essential enhanced career guidance information is provided when making their academic choices. Prospective third level students require more powerful methods of career guidance, such as boot camps to allow them to sample their intended course choice in reality. Career guidance services need to be made accessible to all communities of people. Establishing greater community based career guidance services would reach all areas of Irish communities to provide wider access to more people.

Access Level

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

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