Archer, Ben (2024) Faith and Futures: Exploring the Impact of Religious Beliefs on Career Choices in Rural High Schools. In: [Presented at the Australian Association for the Study of Religion Annual Conference]. From: Australian Association for the Study of Religion Annual Conference 2024, 29-30 November 2024, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

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Abstract

This presentation outlines a proposed study examining the intersection of religious beliefs and career decision-making processes among secondary school students in regional, remote and rural (RRR) communities across Australia. While research has established that educational institutions significantly influence career decisions in RRR areas, limited attention has been paid to how religious beliefs and faith engagement shape these choices. The proposed research will employ a mixed-methods approach incorporating both qualitative focus groups and quantitative analysis across seven local government areas spanning New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. The study is contextualised within higher reported levels of religious affiliation in RRR communities compared to urban settings (ABS Census 2021) and builds upon Systems Theory Framework of career development. The research design includes semi-structured interviews with students in grades 10-12 exploring themes including post-school plans, community expectations, geographic location influences, spiritual beliefs, and access to career guidance. Current literature suggests faith engagement may play a more significant role in RRR students' career decision-making compared to their urban counterparts, though this relationship remains largely unexplored. This proposed research addresses a critical gap in understanding how geographic location and religious beliefs intersect to influence career pathways, with implications for career guidance practice in RRR secondary schools.

Item ID:	84236
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Keywords:	career development, religious beliefs, rural education, Systems Theory Framework, mixed methods
Copyright Information:	CC-BY-NC-SA
Date Deposited:	04 Dec 2024 02:46
FoR Codes:	39 EDUCATION > 3903 Education systems > 390306 Secondary education @ 45% 50 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES > 5004 Religious studies > 500405 Religion, society and culture @ 45% 35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3505 Human resources and industrial relations > 350506 Workforce planning @ 10%
SEO Codes:	16 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 1602 Schools and learning environments > 160206 Workforce transition and employment @ 50% 13 CULTURE AND SOCIETY > 1305 Religion > 130501 Religion and society @ 50%
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