Psychosocial and Career Development Related to Employment of Graduating Seniors

Abstract

The relationships between psychosocial development, involvement in career development activities, and employment status of college seniors one month prior to graduation were examined. Psychosocial development was measured using the Student Developmental Task and Lifestyle Inventory (Winston & Miller, 1987). Involvement in career development activities--including career planning and job search--was measured using the Career Activities Survey, developed for this study. Employment status (job offers received versus no job offers received) was self-reported by graduating seniors. Relationships were found among psychosocial developmental tasks and participation in career development activities. Involvement in job search activities differentiated graduating seniors who had received employment offers from those who had not. The results support the notion that psychosocial development and career development are closely related.