A sample of 95 Latino career counseling clients of a social services agency voluntarily completed a demographic questionnaire. the American-International Relations Scale (Sodowsky & Plake. 1991). and a questionnaire designed to assess career self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977. 1986; Betz & Hackett, 198 1). Acculturation and English language use predicted career self-efficacy. unlike years of residence in the United States. age, and educational level (p < .05). The implications of the results to career counseling for Latinos are discussed.
It is estimated that the Latino population in the U.S. will become the largest minority group by the year 2.010 (United States Census Bureau, 1990). Latinos are a heterogeneous group who have conbibuted significantly to many aspects of this nation's life. Less propitious issues such as the staggering school drop-out rate and the high rate of teenage pregnancy among Latino youths suggest that the experiences of Latinos need further attention and investigation. This seemed especially true of the research regarding career -related constructs and their relation to two central experiences for Latinos in the U.S.. acculturation and English language use. From this identified need, the overall aim of the study arose. Through this study, we attempted to establish an empirical link between career self-efficacy, acculturation, and English language use for Latinos. Researchers who addressed the constructs used in this study have also suggested needed career-related research with minority populations (Leong. 1995).
Lent and Hackett (1983 recommended that career self-efficacy research be conducted with culturally diverse populations. Addition-Alexis 0. Mirando is aprofessor i n the College of Education, &Debt0 L. Umhoefet i s a graduate student i n the Lkpartment of Counselor Education, both at Flmida Atlantic University, Boca Raton. Correspondence regarding this article should be addressed to Alexis 0. Miranda. Florida Atlantic University. CoUege of Education, RO.