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A crystal ball won’t do it. Neither will a traditional interest test. But a career guidance tool, researched by Patrick Rottinghaus, associate professor of education and human development, is revealing new career possibilities to middle and high school students. YouScience Discovery, an internet-based career guidance system, helps students navigate past gender stereotypes and limited life experiences to find career paths they may never have imagined for themselves. These paths are leading more females to consider careers in engineering, more males to see themselves in patient care roles and more underprivileged youths to get on academic tracks for high-demand fields. Rottinghaus gave YouScience Discovery’s online aptitude and interest tests to more than 7,000 students in 14 states. He found that, when students understand their aptitudes are a solid
match for career success in one or more fields, their eyes open to new possibilities. “Instead of just asking about their interests, which is what they already know and are focused on, we show them they have various aptitudes and the ability to grow skills in unexplored areas,” Rottinghaus says. Although girls and boys have similar levels of aptitudes, their interests and socialization may lead them to overlook careers in high-demand fields, such as STEM and health care. Rottinghaus’ study confirmed that it’s the difference in interest, not ability, that limits students’ academic and career paths. In his role as a career counselor, Rottinghaus has seen what can happen as students learn more about their abilities. “It gives them more confidence, helping them envision their future and be more intentional in establishing plans and connecting education to work experience.” — Jack Wax, BS Ed ’73, MS ’76, MA ’87
WORDS TO GROW BY
kids to the listening center with headphones on,” Kelley says, “and we’ll take care of most of the rest.” More students grasped words such as “disappointed” and “enormous” with the storybooks and reinforcing lessons than in classrooms without. Kelley’s most recent study, among other things, showed kids could grasp more words, four per book versus two in earlier studies. There’s a squirm limit, though. That is, her books run about 10 minutes, versus six minutes longer in an earlier version. “They did not want to listen that long,” Kelley says with a chuckle. Funding for the studies comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences.
Amid the chaos of preschool, where kids learn everything from brushing teeth to being good friends, young brains also absorb surprising vocabulary with lessons designed by a Mizzou researcher. Combining picture books, audio tracks and teacher reinforcement can measurably improve the word power of kids, especially those at risk of otherwise falling behind, according to studies led by Elizabeth Kelley, an assistant professor in MU’s School of Health Professions. The research uses a series called Story Friends, print-and-audio books co-developed by Kelley with Howard Goldstein at the University of South Florida. They designed the books to slip into preschools, where routines and qualifications vary widely. “Just get the 8
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@h4x354x0r I love the #Mizzou community so much! Y’all are so beautiful, wonderful, vibrant, spirited, a little bit wild. I love that! Never in my life have I experienced the kind of affirmation this community gives me. From every bead in every Hacky sack I’ve ever owned, THANK YOU! @iamoluwaa The cats out the bag.. or should I say tiger Many of you know Mizzou was my top choice but I was put in an awkward position to choose between a full ride and my dream school and you know what the say follow your heart so that’s exactly what I did! #ichoosemizzou #mizzou25 @HerbieTeope New Chiefs LB Nick Bolton says he's dreamed of hearing his name called out during the draft since he was 4, 5 years old. More importantly: "Being close to Mizzou and playing for the Chiefs is a dream come true," Bolton said.
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Better Career Guidance
@The_Antlers We're gonna sponsor a Mizzou athlete after we figure out what sponsoring an athlete means
