Die loopbaanuitstalling as metode in beroepsvoorligting

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine by means of a literature study and a practical survey the criteria that could be applied to determine the success of a career exhibition and whether the career exhibition in South Africa is an effective method of passing on information, as was determined by means of the Potchefstroom 150 Career Exhibition, on May 3 and 4, 1988. The manner in which the guidance teacher helps the pupil to become acquainted with the career world, demands skill and a variety of methods in presenting the information. One of the methods that could be utilized, is the career exhibition. The career exhibition is a specialized exhibition directed at passing on information concerning career prospects for pupils, students or any other person concerned, who has to make a career choice. Pupils and their parents get the opportunity to respectively discuss with a forum of representative employers or their representatives a variety of careers, bursaries and career opportunities. There are two types of career exhibitions in this country. One is the big Careers 2000 Exhibitions co-organized by the Department of Manpower and the respective Chambers of Industry in various big centres. In 1989 there were seven big centralized career exhibitions. There are also many smaller career exhibitions organized mainly at schools. In 1989 98 smaller, decentralized career exhibitions took place. The Potchefstroom 150 Career Exhibition in 1988 was on the one hand described as an example of a career exhibition and on the other hand it was part of the empirical

investigation. By means of this, empirical data was obtained from the career exhibitors, guidance teachers and standard 9 and 10 pupils who attended the career exhibition. Three different questionnaires, a separate one for each group, were completed. The SAS computer programme was used to determine the average of the responses to each question. Criteria for a successful career exhibition were deduced from the literature study and practical investigation. The criteria were applied to the Potchefstroom 150 Career Exhibition. It is evident that this example was a successful method of information distribution in career guidance. There are practical problems influencing the success of the career exhibition. It appeared that there is a Jack of sufficient co-operation and communication between the most important parties involved in career exhibitions, namely the various departments of Education, the Department of Manpower and the Career Exhibition and Information Society. A very real need for career information in South Africa exists and therefore there is room for both centralized and decentralized career exhibitions. It is important however, that the deficiencies should be eliminated. The career exhibition is an effective method of passing on information in career guidance, provided that the criteria for organizing an effective career exhibition are complied with.