Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

STEM Education: The Career Counselor’s Roles and Responsibilities

Zaida Nor Zainudin, Sharifah Intan Sharina Syed Abdullah, Yusni Mohamad Yusop, Wan Norhayati Wan Othman

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v9-i11/6547

Open access

Some countries have adopted STEM policies in their education. Many policies, initiatives, training and funds are for STEM development aimed at expanding science, technology, engineering, and mathematical workforce. This education investment also aims to create a larger, more diverse group of talent pursuing technical careers. Counselors are among those who should actively involve in supporting and promoting STEM Education in school. This paper is to see the roles can be played by counsellors. This qualitative research involves 59 school counselors in Selangor, Malaysia. Research data was analyzed using nested analysis approach. The analysis is considered as nested in a way that it combines descriptive quantitative analysis with an in-depth thematic qualitative analysis. Thematic coding is applied in gathering the themes. Six themes emerged from the data. The themes are counsellor must be (a) well-versed in STEM, (b) giving information and understanding of STEM to students, (c) instill students’ interest, (d) knowledgeable of stem career prospects, (e) knowledgeable in career psychometrics tests, and (f) be prepared with students’ personal issues. We conclude that the role of a counsellor in school is extremely important to support and promote STEM Education.

Akos, P., Shoffner, M., & Ellis, M. (2007). Mathematics placement and the transition to middle school. Professional School Counseling, 10(3), 238-244.
Bretz, R. D., & Judge, T. A. (1994). Person-organization fit and the theory of work adjustment: Implications for satisfaction, tenure, and career success. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 44(1), 32-54.
Bryan, L. A., Moore, T. J., Johnson, C. C., & Roehrig, G. H. (2016). Stem Road Map: A Framework For Integrated Stem Education. NY: Routledge.
Feller, R. (2009). Stem centric career development: Sputnik ii or a thud? Career Planning & Adult Development Journal, 25(1), 19–35.
Feller, R. (2011). Advancing the stem workforce through stem-centric career development. Technology and Engineering Teacher, 71(1), 6-12.
Hough, L. M., & Ones, D. S. (2001). Handbook of Industrial, Work, and Organizational Psychology. London: Sage.
Jacobs, J. E., Chhin, C. S., & Bleeker, M. M. (2006). Enduring links: Parents’ expectations and their young adult children’s gender-typed occupational choices. Educational Research and Evaluation, 12, 395–407.
Koehler, C., Binns, I. C., & Bloom, M. A. (2015). The emergence of STEM. In STEM Road Map: A Framework for Integrated STEM Education, 13-22
Lia, D. F. (2016). The school counselor and STEM career development. Journal of Career Development, 44(4), 1-16.
Maher, M., Abu-Hilal, M. M. (2000). A structural model of attitudes towards school subjects, academic aspiration and achievement. Journal Educational Psychology, 20(1), 75-84.
Mahfar, M., Zaini, F., & Nordin, N. A. (2007). Analisis faktor penyebab stres di kalangan pelajar UTM. Kemanusiaan, 62 - 71.
Mark J. G., Jennifer F., Angela B. W., Anne-Barrie, H., & Jo, H. (2013). Increasing persistence of college students in STEM. Science, 341(6153), 1455-1456.
Mohd, F., Salleha, A. M. & Mustapha, R. (2010). The influence of contextual aspects on career decision making of Malaysian technical students. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 7(2), 369-375.
Schmidt, C. D., Hardinge, G. B., Rokutani, L. J. (2012). Expanding the school counselor repertoire through stem-focused career development. Career Development Quarterly, 60(1), 25-35.
Shatkin, L. (2011). Quick STEM careers guide. Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing.
Shatkin, L. (2011). STEM Careers Inventory. Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing.
Trusty, J., & Niles, S. G. (2004). Realized potential or lost talent: High school variables and bachelor’s degree completion. Career Development Quarterly, 53, 2–15.
Wyrick, L. (2004). A Qualitative Study of Secondary School Counselor’s Perceived Competencies in Student Career Development (Unpublished dissertation). Greely, CO: University of Northern Colorado.

In-Text Citation: (Zainudin, Abdullah, Yusop, Othman, 2019)
To Cite this Article: Zainudin, Z. N., Abdullah, S. I. S. S., Yusop, Y. M., Othman, W.N. W. (2019). STEM Education: The Career Counselor’s Roles and Responsibilities. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(11), 272–283.