Exploration of Significant Variables on the Career Paths of Vocational High School Graduates
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify education-related variables that significantly influence the career paths of vocational high school graduates and to propose policy measures for improving the teaching and learning process. To this end, data from the first to third waves of the Korean Education and Employment Panel II (KEEP II), established through probabilistic sampling of high school sophomores across South Korea by the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training in 2016, were analyzed. The dependent variables of this study include college enrollment, employment status, and job satisfaction among vocational high school graduates. The independent variables include satisfaction with teaching and learning, satisfaction with extracurricular activities, satisfaction with career education classes, satisfaction with career exploration experiences, satisfaction with job placement guidance, and teacher enthusiasm. The data were analyzed using logistic regression and hierarchical multiple regression. The results indicate that among the educational activities for sophomores at vocational high schools, satisfaction with job placement guidance had a significantly positive impact on employment status. For juniors, satisfaction with career education classes, satisfaction with job placement guidance, and teacher enthusiasm showed significant positive effects on employment status. Regarding college enrollment, satisfaction with job placement guidance among sophomore activities showed a significantly positive influence, while for junior activities, satisfaction with teaching and learning and satisfaction with career education classes had positive impacts, but satisfaction with job placement guidance showed a negative effect. In terms of job satisfaction among employed graduates, satisfaction with teaching and learning was the only variable with a positive influence, both for sophomores and juniors. Based on these findings, policy recommendations for improving the teaching and learning processes in vocational high schools are proposed.
Author: Byongsam Jung
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4407775357