Perceptions of Selected Urban Business Education Students Toward Work and Career-Related Issues

Many urban school districts are disadvantaged in terms of resources and facilities, and may serve students who are at-risk economically, socially, and academically. Demographics trends suggest that in the next 20 years employers will depend on a workforce drawn from urban communities ( Lytle, 1992 ). This suggests a need to understand and provide for educational, work, and career-related needs of urban youth. Perceptions of urban secondary students enrolled in business education courses toward work and career-related issues were examined. Findings suggest students are positive about work and career-related issues and may form perceptions toward work and career-related issues based on three factors, school awareness and work expectations, work awareness and supports, and career choice and work preparation. Grades earned in school, current employment, educational level of mother, and post-graduation plans were significant variables in explaining students' perceptions toward work and career-related issues.

According to Marshall and Tucker (1993) more than a quarter of American students drop out of school, and little is done to recover or retain them. Very few future front-line workers are enrolled in college bound academic tracks or in vocational tracks for school-to-work preparation. Many of these students leave high school with academic and vocational skills that fall below those of other mature industrialized countries.

Urban youth experience considerable difficulty securing employment and developing careers. Many urban youth see no relationship between academic performance and employment ( Oakes, 1987 ; Rosenbaum, 1989 ). This suggests a need to better understand and provide for career preparation needs of urban youth. The likelihood that urban youth will become successful, contributing members of society is enhanced through appropriate guidance and instruction. Opportunities to develop self-knowledge and healthy work attitudes, and plan and explore careers also improve chances for success of urban youth.