An analysis of technology infusion in college and university career services offices in the southwest region of the United States in the twenty-first century

摘要

The purposes of this study were to: (a) provide a recent analysis oftechnology infusion in career services offices (CSOs) in the southwest regionof the United States, (b) address the three recommendations from the 1998Charoensri study of technology infusion in CSOs, and (c) provide an empiricalexamination of the impact of selected technologies in CSOs since 1998.Field survey methods were adopted and modified for use with electronicdistribution of the survey. A pilot study was conducted and suggestions wereincorporated into the final version of the survey. CSO members of theSouthwest Association of Colleges and Employers were electronicallysurveyed in the summer of 2004. The overall usable response rate achievedwas 72.62%, nearly mirroring the 1998 response rate.There are several findings from this study. First, significant differencesexisted in CSO use of computer and communication technology in the 2004national study compared to the 1998 regional study. The majority of the uses of technology by CSOs increased significantly over time. Second, significantdifferences were found in the use of selected technologies/uses of technologyfrom the 2002 national study to the 2004 regional study. Third, institutional sizeand type were significantly different related to the use of one-way and two-waymethods of communication and 15 selected uses of technology betweenCSOs, other CSO staff, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and employers. Fourth,CSOs have not increased the number of computer workstations from 2002 to2004. Fifth, newer national vendor technology products used for job searchassistance tasks were slow to be utilized in the southwest region, but regionallydeveloped products were used more often. Finally, technology used to providemany of the services provided to students, alumni, and employers receivedabove average satisfaction ratings (although varied) by CSOs.Overall, the data gathered and analyzed through this study furthersupport previous research and confirm significant changes in CSO technologyuse from 1998 to 2004. CSOs have also experienced significantly highertechnology use from 2002 to 2004. CSOs are satisfied with technologyproducts used in a variety of ways in their offices.