Career Connect program gets State Farm grant to research 'at-risk' middle school youth

June 30, 2003

AUSTIN, Texas—Career Connect—a project of the Digital Media Collaboratory (DMC) at the IC² Institute at The University of Texas at Austin—has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the State Farm Companies Foundation to investigate the critical factors influencing the career aspirations of "at-risk" middle school students.

The primary aim of the study is to determine important influences in the development of career aspirations among middle school students at-risk of not completing or benefiting from their educational opportunities, in order to help them in the planning and development of career goals. This research will be used by the DMC to develop career and values exploration instructional software.

"The State Farm Companies Foundation is committed to supporting unique programs such as Career Connect that will add diversity to the workforce," said David Wolfe, public affairs specialist, State Farm Insurance Companies.

"This grant will help IC² continue to be the leader in innovative research," said John Sibley Butler, Director of IC² Institute. "Once we understand career development processes we can develop software that will help guide our youth into careers that will improve their lives and counter future job shortages in our country."

Before conducting the research, the DMC will convene human development and psychology professors from The University of Texas at Austin and middle school educators from the Austin area for a panel discussion at the DMC.

Next, the DMC will survey 300 middle school students in six middle schools in urban, suburban and rural areas in the Austin area about students' perceptions of their work values, their career goals, the role media plays in their lives and their career beliefs.

"Theorists believe that career development begins in childhood but there is a significant lack of study and data around the career development of middle school students, particularly those identified as vulnerable," said Aliza Gold, senior producer, DMC. "By discovering the influences in the development of vulnerable middle school students' career aspirations, the DMC will gain crucial information for creating an intervention program that serves to empower and inspire youth to dream practically and take action for their futures with accurate information and processes."

About Career Connect
Career Connect is a revolutionary approach to career exploration for vulnerable urban and rural middle school students. Delivered on the Web and using the power of computer simulations, Career Connect will employ some of the most effective forms of learning to allow students to explore careers by "virtually shadowing" workers and college students in real working environments and college campuses, from anywhere they can access the Internet. Visit the IC² Institute Web site.

About State Farm Companies Foundation
Founded in 1963 to respond to the many requests for financial assistance, the foundation is a nonprofit organization, separate from State Farm Insurance Companies, governed by a separate board of directors. Today, the foundation focuses on education grants, the Good Neighbor Grant Program and the Matching Gift Program. The foundation also organizes annual contributions to United Way on behalf of State Farm employees and supports six scholarship programs. The foundation contributed $17 million through its programs in 2002.

For more information contact: Sherry Holdridge, 512-482-0273 ext. 272.

 

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