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Application of the system theory framework to the career development of Korean university students

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Abstract

This study investigates the applicability of the system theory framework (STF) to Korean university students with regard to their career development and counseling. The STF-based career group program content consists of MSCI (My System of Career Influences) and MCC (My Career Chapter), and is conducted over ten sessions for two groups of college students in Korea. Following the program’s conclusion, the participants were asked about its usefulness and their experiences participating. An analysis of the survey results revealed the participants to have rated the program as useful. Subsequently, a qualitative analysis was conducted using the Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) technique, and four domains and ten categories were derived. Further, the significance and the limitations of the research were discussed.

Résumé

Application du cadre de la théorie des systèmes au développement de carrière des étudiant·e·s universitaires coréen·ne·s. Cette étude examine l'applicabilité du cadre de la théorie des systèmes (STF) aux étudiant·e·s universitaires coréen·ne·s en ce qui concerne leur développement de carrière et counseling. Le contenu du programme de groupe sur la carrière basé sur le STF est constitué du MSCI (My System of Career Influences) et du MCC (My Career Chapter), et est mené sur 10 sessions pour deux groupes d'étudiant·e·s universitaires en Corée. Après la conclusion du programme, les participant·e·s ont été interrogé·e·s sur son utilité et sur leurs expériences de participation. Une analyse des résultats de l'enquête a révélé que les participant·e·s ont jugé le programme utile. Par la suite, une analyse qualitative a été menée à l'aide de la technique de recherche qualitative consensuelle (CQR), et 4 domaines et 10 catégories ont été identifiés. Par ailleurs, l'importance et les limites de la recherche ont été discutées.

Zusammenfassung

Anwendung des System Theory Frameworks auf die Karriereentwicklung koreanischer Universitätsstudierender. Diese Studie untersucht die Anwendbarkeit des System Theory Frameworks (STF) auf koreanische Universitätsstudierende im Hinblick auf ihre Karriereentwicklung und Beratung. Das auf dem STF basierende Karriere-Programm für Gruppen besteht aus MSCI (My System of Career Influences) und MCC (My Career Chapter) und wurde mit zwei Gruppen von Studierenden in Korea über 10 Sitzungen durchgeführt. Nach Abschluss des Programms wurden die Teilnehmenden nach dessen Nützlichkeit und ihren Erfahrungen befragt. Eine Analyse der Umfrageergebnisse zeigt, dass die Teilnehmenden das Programm als nützlich bewerteten. Aus einer qualitative Analyse mithilfe der Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) konnten 4 Bereiche und 10 Kategorien abgeleitet werden. Darüber hinaus werden die Bedeutung und die Beschränkungen der Forschung diskutiert.

Resumen

Aplicación del marco de la teoría de sistemas al desarrollo profesional de estudiantes universitarios coreanos. Este estudio investiga la aplicabilidad del marco de la teoría de sistemas (TGS) a estudiantes universitarios coreanos con respecto a su desarrollo profesional y asesoramiento. El contenido del programa grupal orientado a la carrera basado en TGS consiste en MSIC (Mi Sistema de Influencias de Carrera) y MCC (Mi Capítulo de Carrera), y se lleva a cabo en 10 sesiones para dos grupos de estudiantes universitarios en Corea. Tras la conclusión del programa, se preguntó a los participantes sobre su utilidad y sus experiencias de participación. Un análisis de los resultados de la encuesta reveló que los participantes calificaron el programa como útil. Posteriormente, se realizó un análisis cualitativo utilizando la técnica de Investigación Cualitativa Consensuada (CQR), y se derivaron 4 dominios y 10 categorías. Además, se discutieron la importancia y las limitaciones de la investigación.

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Data availability

Data are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea

    Eun Mi Lim & Hye Jeong Kang

  2. Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea

    Tae Sun Kim

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  1. Eun Mi Lim
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  2. Hye Jeong Kang
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Correspondence to Tae Sun Kim.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (JBNU 2019-12-001-001) at Jeonbuk National University in Korea.

Consent to participate

The program’s purpose, contents, and procedures were provided in the syllabus and explained to the students in person during the class. Students were made aware of their right to refuse to participate in the study and change their minds about it without facing any penalties. The course was three hours long, and each session of the program lasted for an hour and a half. After the end of the semester, the researchers analyzed the compiled data of the students who provided consent; 40 of the 43 students agreed to participate in the study.

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Lim, E.M., Kang, H.J. & Kim, T.S. Application of the system theory framework to the career development of Korean university students. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-023-09578-y

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