Development and Implementation of a Home Economics Career Education Program to Enhance Career Development Competencies

This study aimed to develop and implement a home economics career education teaching and learning plan to enhance the career development competencies of third-year middle school students and to evaluate its effectiveness. The research was conducted in five stages: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. In the analysis stage, the 2022 revised home economics curriculum was reviewed to establish connections with career development competencies. The design stage involved drafting a five-lesson plan based on this analysis. In the development stage, the plan was expanded to seven lessons through expert validation and systematic revisions of learning activities and materials. Expert validation involved five home economics education experts who evaluated the plan’s appropriateness, engagement potential, and linkage to career development competencies. The mean scores and Content Validity Index (CVI) indicated high validity, particularly in lesson activities and their integration with key competencies. A career development competency assessment tool was also revised and validated through a pilot test. The implementation stage involved delivering the lessons to students, incorporating activities such as self-exploration, high school and major selection, job analysis, role model interviews, key ring making, resume writing, and mock interviews. Evaluation results showed significant improvements in students’ career design competencies (self-understanding, occupational understanding, exploration, planning) and career readiness competencies (optimism, persistence, curiosity, flexibility, initiative, communication). Students reported high satisfaction and practical benefits from the program. This study confirms the effectiveness of home economics career education in enhancing students’ career development competencies and highlights the need for further research and practice in this field.