Online vs Offline: Experimenting the Belief in Career Exploration Methods of University Students

Abstract

The beliefs in career exploration methods varying largely between the online and the offline career exploration methods. Among large pool of career explorers, university undergraduates can be considered as one of the most intense and immature group of explorers. At the same time, it is apparent that students are exploring career opportunities through various methods. Therefore, the primary objective of this research was to find out the beliefs in online and offline exploration methods in university undergraduates and decide the most effective method for career exploration. An experimental model was developed based on Stumpf, Colarelli, & Hartman‘s “Development of the Career Exploration theory. Three treatment groups were formed by the final year university students to denote two main career exploration methods. The sample was selected by randomly assigning an equal number of participants (25). Pre and Post beliefs about each career exploration method were assessed and analyzed to conclude the most effective method. The results found that after the treatment, pre and post believes about career exploration was not been significantly changed by its method. Yet, the amount of information gathered and exploration satisfaction were high in the online method. The respondents never had any systematic or planned way when exploring via online sources. The doubt about reliability of information gathered was high in the offline method. Further, the results revealed that there was no impact of stress and satisfaction for exploration belief. Implications are invited for allocating career exploration awareness for the target group in their early career exploration stages to prepare them for successful career decision making by forward-thinking.