The document discusses research on career development and decision making for university study. It references several other studies and provides sample sizes from various studies. It outlines the stages of career development from crystallizing occupational interests in early high school to exploring options, deciding on university, and confirming choices in later high school years. It notes that lower socioeconomic status students may progress more slowly through these stages compared to higher SES peers when deciding whether to pursue university.

4. Savickas 2009, 2012, 2018

9. See Raydugin 2016; Slovic 2016; Weber 2002

10. n = 177 n = 396 n = 1177

16. Crystallisation of Occupational Self
Exploration of Occupation
Making the decision to go (or not to go) to university via multiple appraisals

17. University perceived as threatening.
“May do more harm than good.”
University perceived as challenging.
“It won’t be easy but it will be worth it.”
University perceived as only positive.
“Only good can come of this.”

18. Yr 5-6 Yr 7-8 Yr 9-10 Yr 11 Yr 12
Crystallising Exploring Deciding Affirming Confirming Manifesting
Beyond
Yr 12
Critical Defining
Moment Term 3
Yr 9 and Yr 10
Critical Defining
Moment Term 3
Yr 12
Critical Defining
Moment
OP/ATAR and Offers
More WP is needed
here. This is the
‘sliding doors’
choice that will
change career
trajectories
LSES are slower to
progress from
‘crystallising’ to
‘exploring’ then their
OSES peers

20. Final Fellowship Report can be found at: https://www.ncsehe.edu.au/publications/perceived-risks-of-going-to-university/
Email: mraciti@usc.edu.au