Exoffenders' Career Decision Self-Efficacy

Exoffenders represent a population with unique concerns related to high unemployment. Betz and Hackett's (1981) career decision self-efficacy theory suggests that efficacy is an important component of career development. The differences in career decision self-efficacy between exoffenders and nonoffenders before and after a career development workshop were examined. Prior to the workshop, both groups were similar in overall career decision self-efficacy, self-appraisal, goal setting, planning, and problem solving, but exoffenders had lower occupational information. After the workshop, there were no significant differences between exoffenders and nonoffenders. Findings indicate that the entire sample experienced growth in all areas except for planning.