The ability of career maturity indicators to predict interest score differentiation, consistency, and elevation among undergraduate students enrolled in a career/life planning course

The purpose of this research was to investigate relationships between the attitudinal and cognitive components of career maturity as assessed by the Career Development Inventory (CDI) and interest score differentiation, consistency, and elevation as assessed by the Strong Interest Inventory (SII). 252 undergraduate students enrolled in a career/life planning course at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 101 males and 151 females, comprised the sample.;Multiple regression analyses were conducted, with the CDI scales as predictor variables and the interest measures as dependent variables. The regression coefficients associated with corresponding career maturity measures for males and females did not differ significantly, making it unnecessary to examine separate regression equations for males and females. Gender differences in means for differentiation and consistency were found. Interest consistency was weakly predicted by Knowledge of One's Preferred Occupation (PO scale), and score elevation was weakly predicted by the Career Exploration (CE scale) and the PO scales. Differentiation was not predicted by any of the career maturity variables.;The main conclusion of the study was that for career counselors to focus on helping clients to increase career maturity in the areas assessed by the CDI would not necessarily lead to increased interest score differentiation, consistency, and elevation.