Do parents of intending ‘first generation’ students in higher education differ in their need for school support to help their child’s career development?

Abstract

About 40% of the first-year enrolment in Dutch higher education (HE) are ‘first-generation’ HE students. Career education and guidance (CEG) can make a difference for their parents who have not experienced HE themselves. This article reports on the outcomes of a research project which explores the impacts of a school-initiated career intervention for parents, both those with and without HE qualifications. The results for parents without HE qualifications showed different patterns in their knowledge, self-efficacy and role definition.