Exploring the impact of a career guidance intervention program in schools: Effects on knowledge and skills as self-assessed by students

The study aimed to test the impact of a career counselling intervention program (JOBS - Job Orientation. Training in business and schools) intended to improve students’ knowledge and skills related to employability’ preconditions. The intervention program was implemented as an optional subject for lower secondary and secondary education. Data were collected using a Solomon design from 1737 students, distributed in intervention and control groups, with and without pre-test, over one school year. The results showed no interaction between treatment and pre-test when self-assessed skills were tested and a small significant effect in case of self-assessed knowledge, but pre-test simple effect was not significant. Two conclusions emerged: intervention was effective, and pre-test did not improve the results by itself. The intervention program had significant effects on enhancing students’ knowledge and skills that are useful in career decisions. Taken outside the classroom, a career counselling intervention could offer more valid research data, but it also might have a smaller impact on student ability to cope with the requirements of social and work environment.