KINDLE UNLIMITED $0.00, E-BOOK $9.99, PAPERBACK $19.99

Dr. Natascha F. Saunders is a first-generation graduate with a learning disability who grew up in the inner city of Boston, was bussed hours away from her home for school in a predominately White community, and began her education by earning Cs, Ds, and Fs. In The Thesis, her first academic publication, she has accomplished a great feat. Since its original appearance in ProQuest, this edition provides more in-depth findings from the interview participants.

With more than ten years of experience coaching students, The Youth Career Coach Inc., with this publication of The Thesis, will help counselors, educators, administrators, parents, policymakers, and students from high school to college learn how environmental conditions, instrumental and associative learning experiences, and task-approach skills impact and influence career decision-making. This book by Dr. Saunders is her doctoral thesis. It also provides recommendations for how similar programs can prepare students for successful career decision-making.

Dr. Saunders believes the skills of conducting research are not only for the elite and academically accomplished. They are for everyone, as Saunders demonstrates, following the lead of scholars and through the support of her tutors, counselors, and mentors. Saunders is a transparent yet passionate leader in the field of vocational practitioners doing the work of student career development. The Thesis is a great resource for the next generation of scholars committed to this mission.

Find The Thesis in ebook $9.99 or paperback $19.99 on Amazon here: www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZNYJJTC

Also available on Amazon in Canada here:  www.amazon.ca/dp/B09ZCSPT18

Find it here in the UK, as well: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09ZCSPT18

“A thoughtful treatise.” —Joseph D. Feaster, Jr., Esq., METCO parent, past President of NAACP Boston

“A series of rich portraits.” —Dr. Shannon Alpert, EdD, PMP®, Assistant Teaching Professor, Northeastern University

“A must-read for leaders.” —Dr. J. Keith Motley, Ph.D., Former Chancellor and Distinguished Professor, UMASS Boston

Dr. Natascha F. Saunders, Ed.D., MBA, MS, CPCC, is a career coach, faculty, speaker, and entrepreneur who coaches student scholars to persist and obtain positions of power with purpose. Dr. Saunders has held positions at: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, Brown University, Johnson & Wales University, Trinity Washington University, George Washington University, University of Rhode Island, and Cambridge College.

www.NataschaFayeSaunders.com
www.TheYouthCareerCoach.com 

(e) admin@theyouthcareercoach.com

Career development for students of color has finally come to the forefront as a topic. However, many obstacles and challenges are affecting the career decision-making of students. 

This qualitative study utilizes portraiture to understand how the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) program influenced and impacted the career decision-making of its alumni. To assess the career decision-making process of METCO participants’ Krumboltz Social Learning Theory of Career Decision Making (SLTCDM) was the ideal framework to apply because it helps to organize how individuals share their career experiences.

Research Question

The primary research question was: How did participating in METCO impact and influence the career decision-making of its alumni? This research question provided findings categorized into three themes: (1) Environmental Conditions, (2) Instrumental & Associative Learning Experiences, and (3) Task Approach Skills.

Findings

The first finding included each participant sharing their experiences being part of a culture that demonstrated the values of pursuing higher education. In the second finding, participants described a person, typically a counselor, teacher, principal, or alumni, who influenced them in making a career decision. Lastly, participants expressed unique skillsets developed while enrolled in the METCO program, such as communication skills like code-switching. 

METCO administrators, career counselors, practitioners, students, and policymakers who apply the recommendations and outcome data derived from this study are likely to provide better support to students during career decision-making processes.