Graduate Program

Educational Administration

Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1984

Thesis Director

David E. Bartz

Abstract

Statement of Purpose

The primary purpose of this field study was to create a model in the form of a comprehensive career planning and placement program for those individuals served by Kaskaskia Community College, District No. 501. Besides students cur rently enrolled, those who are temporary dropouts and return, early semester leavers, adults in the community and other individuals who could benefit from such services will be encouraged to make use of the facilities and personnel available.

While there has always been some type of placement activities taking place in the public schools in·the past, for the most part they have not been directed toward the vocational or the community college student. Today educators are realizing that a more comprehensive school-based placement service is needed. Such a service would not curtail what is currently being done, but would provide service for the total student body and would involve the administrators, counselors, teachers, students, parents, and employers. Some educators have even gone so for as to state that a comprehensive placement center at the community college level would help to decrease the national and state unemployment rate by seeking part-time employment for needy students as well as for graduates in the area for which they were trained or in a related area.

The territory to be served demonstrated an unemployment rate of eleven percent as late as August, 1983, according to U. S. Department of Labor Statistics. It is expected to remain at that level. Several small industries are expanding but even more are abandoning the area. Much employment has revolved around the railroad industry. That facet has become almost non-existent.

Youth unemployment, specifically, has been extremely high. The most recent percentage is thirteen and eight-tenths. These figures are specifically higher than the national average. Thus, the study was deemed necessary, relevant, and appropriate.

Procedure

Because the researcher is a vocational counselor for Kaskaskia College, District No. 501, he has used the needs of his area for developing a model to help alleviate the unemployment of college-aged youth, former students, and other people in the community who avail themselves of this service. It can be adapted as a reference or guide for other geographical areas.

Chapter I introduces the problem and explains its importance, defining the terms necessary for understanding and creating a career planning and placement center. The objective of adequate employment, backed by a community college with comprehensive career planning and a workable placement center, is realized.

Chapter II overviews the literature. Laws, previous studies and governmental and industrial statistics have been considered. Current findings are vital to this project.

Chapter III includes the initiation of a career center for planning and placement. Data have been collected and evaluated. A model was designed from the research. A guide has been created, accompanied by the writer's findings in three separate works: Directory of the Career Planning Center; Career Placement Handbook for Kaskaskia College; and Credentials for Career Placement.

A brief review, summary, and recommendations conclude the paper in Chapter IV.

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