Abstract
Choosing an educational and professional direction is a crucial moment in a student's life, with significant implications for their integration into society. This study was conducted within the CAEJ Project implemented by the COUNTY CENTER FOR RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BISTRIȚA-NĂSĂUD, “Zoom into the Future,” aiming to assess student satisfaction with the school orientation process in 9th grade, better understand the factors influencing these decisions, and optimize career counseling.
Methodology
The research was carried out between December 2023 and January 2024 and involved an online questionnaire applied to a representative sample of 849 students from 20 high school and vocational education institutions in Bistrița-Năsăud County. The selection of institutions was made to ensure a balanced distribution among various specializations and educational profiles.
The questionnaire was designed to capture several aspects relevant to school orientation, including five multiple-choice items and an open section for individual comments. It was structured into several dimensions:
• Affiliation to the educational institution and chosen specialization;
• Factors influencing the decision to choose a profile;
• Degree of alignment between initial options and final specialization;
• Level of satisfaction with the chosen path;
• Degree of involvement in school counseling activities.
For data collection, the Google Forms platform was used, ensuring respondent anonymity and efficient data gathering. The responses were statistically analyzed using quantitative analysis techniques to identify general trends and correlations between variables.
Additionally, the data was compared with qualitative information provided by students in the open section of the questionnaire, offering a more nuanced perspective on motivations and challenges encountered in the school orientation process. This approach allowed the identification of essential factors in educational decision-making, contributing to the formulation of relevant recommendations for improving school counseling services.
Results
1. Determining factors in choosing a profile/specialization:
o 73.3% of students stated that the decision was entirely theirs;
o Parents influenced the decision in 21.1% of cases, while friends, classmates, or siblings had an impact in 8.9% of cases;
o Homeroom teachers and other teachers influenced 3.5% and 2.9% of cases, respectively;
o School counselors were mentioned by only 0.8% of students as an influence in choosing a specialization.
These data indicate a strong tendency among students to make independent decisions regarding their educational path. There is also a moderate influence from parents, highlighting the importance of continuous dialogue between students, families, and teachers to ensure an informed choice.
2. Alignment between initial options and final specialization:
o 80.2% of students were admitted to one of their top three choices expressed at the end of 8th grade;
o This indicator suggests a good alignment of students based on their aptitude and vocational profiles.
This high alignment rate demonstrates that the school selection process functions relatively efficiently, allowing students access to their desired specializations. However, nearly 20% of students did not secure a place in one of their top choices, which may indicate either high competition in certain specializations or a greater need for career counseling and orientation.
3. Student satisfaction with their chosen specialization:
o 65.2% of students reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their chosen specialization;
o 21.4% of respondents were undecided about their satisfaction level;
o 13.4% of students reported being dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their choice.
The results indicate a high level of satisfaction; however, the percentage of undecided students (21.4%) reveals the need for additional support and counseling after the selection process. It is essential that students be monitored and supported in the first months of the school year to ensure that their decision aligns with their expectations and abilities.
4. Involvement in counseling activities:
o 46.6% of students participated in career counseling and orientation activities conducted in class;
o 11.3% of respondents received individual counseling at the psychological-pedagogical counseling office;
o 48% of students did not participate in any counseling activities, raising questions about the impact of better information on overall satisfaction levels.
The high percentage of students who did not attend counseling activities (48%) suggests an urgent need to intensify efforts in this direction. Personalized counseling and guidance in making educational decisions can significantly contribute to reducing uncertainty and increasing satisfaction levels.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The study results indicate a positive correlation between participation in school counseling activities and students' satisfaction with their chosen educational path. Although most students made their specialization decisions independently, a significant percentage could have benefited from greater support from school counselors and homeroom teachers.
It is recommended to intensify career counseling and orientation activities in middle school education to better inform students and their families about available options. Additionally, increasing accessibility to individual counseling could help reduce indecision and dissatisfaction with chosen educational paths.
Through this study, “Zoom into the Future” highlights the importance of educational counseling in the school orientation process and provides a solid foundation for improving the services offered to students at this critical stage of their development.
Bibliography
1. Laurențiu, A.R., (2024), Study on Student Satisfaction with the School Orientation Process for 9th Grade Students in the 2023-2024 School Year, Bistrița.