The Effects of Virtual Career Role Models on the Self-Efficacy of Adult Education Student

The rapidly changing landscape of the information age has created a shortage of available talent to fill 21st century jobs. As workforce and economic development experts convene to develop talent pipelines, the adult education population remains absent from the equation. Historically, educational research has focused on the kindergarten through high school demographic. When research has focused on postsecondary issues, the focus has been traditional-age students. This study explored how virtual career role models might impact the academic and vocational self-efficacy of adult education students. Through a quantitative study of high school equivalency students, this researcher discovered no significant impact from the intervention on adult students' self-efficacy. A longitudinal study utilizing a larger sample and a more coordinated intervention is recommended.