HKIER

Abstract

The internationalization of career counselling brings into discussion the career counsellor’s role in the interface between deep-rooted cultural processes and labour market demands. This article uses the construct of social-cognitive environments to examine the issues that surround career preparation behaviour among Indian high school students and young adults. Data from a large Indian survey are used to discuss the manner in which social cognitive variables create occupational prestige hierarchies in the mindsets of Indian career choosers and their families which in turn influences their choice of educational pathways. The data are used to demonstrate the difference between low, middle and upper-middle socioeconomic status groups in their preference for occupations that emerge from university-based qualifications versus those that are based on vocational training. The importance of considering social-cognitive environments and occupational preferences for policy formulation and resource allocation to promote vocational training is discussed. The article highlights points that could be of specific relevance for the delivery of careers services that would address needs felt in the Indian and broader Asian context.

摘要

事業輔導國際化牽涉對事業輔導員角色的討論，而這又要同時照顧根深柢固的文化影響與勞動市場的需求兩方面。本文利用社會認知環境這概念，檢視圍繞印度高中學生和年輕成年人就業準備方面的問題。文章以印度一項大型調查的數據，探討社會認知變項如何造成印度擇業者及其家人的職業地位層級觀念，而這觀念又會影響就學選擇。文章展示了不同社經地位（包括低、中、中高）組別的職業偏好，這些職業或需要大學資歷，或只需要職業訓練。本文指出，必須照顧社會認知環境和職業偏好來制定政策和分配資源，以推廣職業訓練。本文尤對印度以至廣大亞洲地區提供職業服務方面有參考價值。