The University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg are working with Career Trek to undertake a CERIC-funded research study that will extend our knowledge of children’s career development theory, and allow us to better understand how youth make career-related decisions and how to best support the process.

In this study, children’s career exploration is viewed as a developmental process that begins in elementary years and continues throughout senior years until they establish a path to post-secondary education. Previous research has focused on examining youth’s career exploration within a specific age range at a single point in time.

The project will investigate children and youth’s own perspectives on career development and assess the changes at key stages over time by asking them about factors influencing career development (such as family, peers, school), their career exploration knowledge and activities, and their post-school plans and future goals.

Researchers will also examine the educational outcomes of youth who took part in the Career Trek program in the past 10 years. Career Trek is a non-profit organization that helps young people discover the importance of education and career development by providing career-oriented programming in educational settings across Manitoba.

This project builds on earlier CERIC-funded research on youth’s career exploration and decision-making.

CERIC provides funding and other support to develop innovative career development resources. Individuals and organizations are welcome to submit project proposals for career counselling-related research or learning projects.

Learn more about the “Creating a Lifelong Career Development Model” project.