This monograph documents the development of a research program that examines the impact of Career Trek, an extra-curricular career development program, on the academic motivation and self-efficacy of the students participating in it. The program incorporates knowledge of children's risk and protective factors and encourages the development of self-efficacy. The first part of the monograph provides a description of the Career Trek program. The second part reports on the findings from four research studies conducted by the authors on the impact of the program. These studies suggest that...  [+] Show more

This monograph documents the development of a research program that examines the impact of Career Trek, an extra-curricular career development program, on the academic motivation and self-efficacy of the students participating in it. The program incorporates knowledge of children's risk and protective factors and encourages the development of self-efficacy. The first part of the monograph provides a description of the Career Trek program. The second part reports on the findings from four research studies conducted by the authors on the impact of the program. These studies suggest that early intervention career exploration programs, such as Career Trek, can be effective in promoting academic resilience among 'at-risk' students and in preventing a decline in academic motivation often associated with middle years students.

Career Trek is designed to educate participants at three separate levels: at a factual level, providing information regarding such matters as post-secondary admission requirements, pre-requisite high school course selection, and career trajectories; at an experiential level by engaging participants in specific tasks associated with particular careers; and at a personal level developing students' interpersonal, social, and communication skills. Family involvement is an important part of the Career Trek model and is developed through four Family Days held during the year and through program-based information sessions related to post-secondary education.

Excerpts from publication.