Dr. Sherri Turner, a faculty member in the Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology program in the Department of Educational Psychology, is partnering with East Ridge High School to research the effects of participating in the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and follow-up Career Exploration Program (ASVAB-CEP) on students’ educational and career development.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is used as a military entrance and placement exam for individuals planning to enter the military. However, for the majority of the students who opt to take the assessment each year, the test is utilized for its comprehensive career exploration components instead of as a tool for military entrance and placement.
“For nearly every student, the ASVAB can provide a valuable avenue for exploring potential work options by linking interests, aptitudes, educational and employment data, educational requirements, and local and national employment opportunities,” said Raeann Schultz, a counselor at East Ridge High School.
Preliminary findings are positive; students who participated in the study reported that they had a greater awareness of opportunities, felt more empowered to explore their career options, felt that they could take greater initiative in obtaining their career goals, and felt more support in making their own career decisions.
