CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION THROUGH THE SUBJECT “TECHNOLOGY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP”: A THEORETICAL AND APPLIED MODEL BASED ON WHETTEN & CAMERON
Keywords:
career development, lower secondary education, technology and entrepreneurship, Whetten & Cameron, curriculum designAbstract
This paper explores the potential for structured career development among lower secondary students through the curriculum of the subject “Technology and Entrepreneurship” in 8th grade. The focus is placed on the application of the Whetten & Cameron career management model, which incorporates four key components: self-awareness, opportunity exploration, goal setting, and action planning. The study proposes a modular curriculum framework, enabling students to develop personal and entrepreneurial skills through interactive activities, digital tools, and project-based learning. The theoretical foundation is based on social-cognitive theory (Bandura), self-regulation (Zimmerman), goal-setting (Locke & Latham), and constructivist learning (Piaget, Vygotsky, Dewey). The paper argues that early, systematic career education supports student autonomy, motivation, and readiness for the world of work. This structured, flexible, and theory-backed approach provides a replicable model for modern education systems seeking to strengthen career guidance in school contexts.
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