This study examines the impact of an experiential service-learning project designed to help high school students begin to choose a career path and increase college students' understanding about how to make career decisions. In the study, two groups of college students attended information sessions on career advising. The first group then helped…

Students (N = 247) responded to Self-Directed Search (SDS) per the standard response format and were also instructed to record a question mark (?) for items about which they were uncertain (item response indecision [IRI]). The initial responses of the 114 participants with a (?) were then reversed and a second SDS summary code was obtained and…

Scores of 81 adults on the Career Thoughts Inventory and the Self-Directed Search (SDS) showed a canonical correlation between the typology structure measured by the SDS and dysfunctional career thoughts. Depending on their dominant SDS score, some people may be more anxious and confused about career decision making than others. (SK)

Career assessment activities in the Self-Directed Search and constructs in Holland's theory increase understanding of an individual's personal career theory (PCT). The PCT provides information about a person's readiness for career decision making and the types of career interventions that might be effective. (Author/SK)

Explores the differences in coping styles between students who made congruent, incongruent, and undecided college major choices as defined by the Self-Directed Search and the College Majors Finder. Coping strategies were defined by the Ways of Coping Questionnaire and the Coping Inventory. The findings suggest that male and female students report…

College freshmen were divided into three groups: (1) 28 completed the Self-Directed Search and attended a 50-minute career exploration workshop based on it; (2) 28 completed the Career Decision-Making System-Revised (CDM-R) and attended a similar workshop; and (3) 28 were controls. CDM-R significantly increased knowledge of decision-making…

Tested the hypothesis that an abbreviated Self-Directed Search (SDS) would increase self-estimated career knowledge and decision making of students (N=173). Completing an abbreviated SDS decreased self-estimated career management competencies, but it did not affect tested career management competencies nor differentially affect men and women nor…

Data from 112 of 126 twelfth-grade vocational students who completed Career Decision Scale, My Vocational Situation, and Self-Directed Search showed that chronically career undecided students had lower levels of congruence and vocational identity. Such students may need a more psychotherapeutic approach to career counseling. (SK)

Examined the effects of the Self-Directed Search (SDS) in the light of the participants' personal characteristics, including their expectations for the treatment. Results reveal that the majority of students seek reassurance for choices they have made. A client's decision-making difficulties may be helpful in selecting an effective treatment.…

The validity of some theoretically-derived vocational diagnostic signs was examined to learn if a person's self-knowledge, occupational knowledge, and decision-making ability were predictable. Diverse samples of high school juniors (N = 1005), college juniors (N = 692), and employed adults (N = 140) were administered the Self-Directed Search (the…

High school males (N=66) and 60 high school females were tested for anxiety and vocational maturity levels. The experimental subjects were given the Self Directed Search (SDS). Statistical analysis indicated that the SDS was an effective instrument in reducing career indecision. (Author)

In an evaluation of the Self-Directed Search (SDS), a self-administered vocational counseling experience based on Holland's theory of vocational choice and his occupational classification, a total of 1,092 students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in four high schools were divided into three treatment groups. One group took the regular, published…

The purpose of this study was to provide test-retest reliability data for Holland's Self Directed Search for Educational and Vocational Planning (SDS). Sixty-five subjects were administered the SDS 7-10 months after they completed it during freshman orientation. Results indicated little change in summary codes obtained by subjects. Median…

Preliminary use of the Self Directed Search (SDS) led to the speculation that some people were very dissatisfied with their results and others were quite pleased. Of the 4,631 incoming freshmen at the University of Maryland who completed the SDS, 485 were extremely dissatisfied with their results. The codes for these groups were compared using…