Career Preferences of Early Adolescents: Age and Sex Differences

Abstract

Motivating early adolescents in classrooms as well as counseling them in career decision making suggest that educators need a better understanding of developing career preferences among early adolescents. When the scores of males and females were compared across ages on eight career preference scales, several patterns emerged. Most career areas suffer a decline in interest among both boys and girls in the initial years of early adolescence. However, in five of eight areas, boys' scores showed a significant rebound after age thirteen reflecting stronger interest in high technology careers than did girls'. Girls, on the other hand, showed increasing interest in traditional areas such as service and organization. Both sexes indulged in dreams of trying careers in arts and entertainment.