Development and Initial Validation of a Career Preference Scale (CPS-15F): An Underlying Model of Holland's Theory for Measuring Career Interests

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop a career preference scale that requires the study of existing theories of occupational interest evaluation (Strong, Kuder, Holland and Rothwell Miller) while analyzing their structures, their item selection methods and the response methods proposed in this type of construct, This qualitative analysis enabled us to conclude that Holland's method of classifying professional interests is the best suited to the context of the evaluation in order to establish an underlying model of 15 sub-factors making it possible to measure Holland's inter-dimensional relationships and to deduce clear preferences from them on the basis of a suitable structure and response mode, and to interpret the results pertinently thanks to the 24 professional profiles presented in this study. We also studied the psychometric qualities of the career preference scale developed, which was administered to a sample of 628 participants. The validity of the scale was verified empirically by measuring item-test correlations and internal consistency independently for each sub-factor, Fidelity was verified using a test-retest with a sample of 50 participants, while concurrent validity was verified by relating the dimensions of interest to other information (gender and field of study of the students) to check the relationship with the literature. These procedures demonstrated satisfactory psychometric qualities and enabled six items on the scale to be improved for a more relevant assessment and to be used in the school and professional environment.

Keywords

• career interests
• career preferences
• holland's theory
• training universe