Congruence X Employment Tenure: a Study with Transitioning Youth with Disabilities

Title of Document: CONGRUENCE X EMPLOYMENT TENURE: A STUDY WITH TRANSITIONING YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES Juliana Unis Castan, Master of Arts, 2010 Directed By: Professor Ellen Fabian, Department of Counseling and Personnel Services This study examined the relationship between congruence (between individual’s inventoried career interests and subsequent job) and employment tenure for transitioning youth with disabilities successfully closed in fiscal year 2008 by the Maryland State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (DORS) Region 6 (N = 51). The relationship between employment tenure and demographic variables (gender, ethnicity, education level, disability type, social security benefits status, and length in services) is also assessed. Data was obtained from DORS database, wage checks reports and file reviews. This study did not find support for the relationship between employment tenure and either congruence or demographic variables. Related findings include high frequency of low congruent jobs, and the majority of jobs in janitorial and service areas, part time and with hourly wage between $5.00 and $10.00. CONGRUENCE X EMPLOYMENT TENURE: A STUDY WITH TRANSITIONING YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES