CAREER DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF LOW SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

With increased funding from the Australian federal government to improve the enrolments of students with low socio-economic status into university, identifying the career needs of this student cohort is of utmost importance, if indeed they are different from other university students. This will ensure career services offer comprehensive and effective support, and avoid duplication or redundant measures. Findings indicate that the careers needs of low socio-economic status university students are different from other university students. Strategies that were reported to increase the effectiveness of career development for low socio-economic status university students included person-centred counselling skills; careers education across all courses to familiarise and normalise the careers planning process; avoidance of jargon or assumptions of implicit knowledge regarding university requirements; ensuring careers practitioners are aware of the experiences of students with low socio-economic status; up-to-date labour market information; and extending careers support to students for at least two years after the completion of their studies.