Students’ Experiences with and Perceptions of Career Guidance in Dutch Secondary Education

ABSTRACT: This in-depth study focuses on the content of and students’ perceptions of and experiences with career guidance in secondary education in the Netherlands. We address (1) students’ experiences with five career guidance activities, using semi-structured interviews with 112 students, and (2) students’ perceptions of career guidance, using 817 student questionnaires. Results show that student conversations with school counselors and tutors about career guidance mainly involved grades or teacher recommendations. Almost all participants stated they acted on these suggestions by selecting subjects for upper secondary education in line with their grades. At least half of the students found career guiding activities such as sample classes, subject-information sessions, and in-classroom information from school counselors useful. Fewer students considered subject recommendations to be useful. On average, students were neutral to slightly positive regarding the helpfulness of such guidance. We advise schools to develop a shared vision and policy on career guidance, as large differences in students’ experiences and perceptions were found.