Career development project, 1977-1987: File a

The Career Development Project is an extensive study spanning the years 1977-1987. It aims to explore the career development patterns, tertiary and related work experiences of samples of students in different age groups both in Western Australia and nationally. Data files are held for the following samples in this study: (1) secondary school students in Western Australia, interviewed in their last year of secondary school (1977) and reinterviewed in 1978 and 1979; (2) tertiary graduates from five Western Australian tertiary institutions interviewed in their last year of study in 1977, and then in 1978 and 1979; (3) a comparative study of younger and older (mature age) graduates from six Australian tertiary institutions first interviewed in 1986, then again in 1987; and (4) the Australian component of an international survey of secondary school students, using the same questionnaire as the main secondary school survey in 1977. Topic areas covered for secondary and tertiary samples include: choice of occupation and factors involved in that choice; preferences for and views on local tertiary institutions; reasons for continuing formal education; self esteem and achievement; courses of study and satisfaction with current enrolment; assessment of difficulties obtaining a job; sex role attitudes; attitudes to work; goals for the future; important personal qualities; opinions on politics and society, particularly in relation to women; factors influencing career and lifestyle; and employment history since graduation. The mature age sample was also asked questions relating to restrictions and obstacles to entering certain career paths; constraints on career and employment due to family responsibilities; and experience of discrimination due to age, gender and social class. Background questions include: age, sex, birthplace, marital status, secondary school details, number of siblings and respondent's position in the family; age, occupation, educational level, birthplace of parents; first language spoken by respondent and parents; present and childhood religious denomination; and assessment of parents' income and social orientation.