Developing the Key Constructs of Career Literacy: A Delphi Study

Abstract

Career literacy is a concept that is often misunderstood, yet it is something that can be developed to enhance youth’s potential for career readiness and career growth. This study sought to determine the knowledge and skills required for career literacy and to identify the optimal time to acquire these skills. A four-round Delphi study was designed and implemented to determine such skills and the ideal corresponding time of acquisition for each. The research indicated a final list of 50 skills and knowledge, all of which fall under the categories of functional, interactive, and critical skills a student needs to be able to read, understand, and make decisions on career-related information. These skills and knowledge can be used not only to inform stakeholders what to infuse into existing curricula, but also to identify the optimal time of introduction into a student’s educational career.