Our History
Our History
Dr. Frank J. Minor creates the world’s first computerized career planning system. This innovation forever changed career guidance through technology.
The FOCUS 2 systems are a byproduct of an IBM project created and directed by Dr. Frank Minor. In 1967, he initiated and launched a project to develop the very first computer assisted career and education exploration and planning systems. Dr. Minor led a team of nationally prominent psychologists, consisting of Professors Donald E. Super and Roger A. Myers of Columbia University Teachers College and Professor David V. Tiedeman of Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Dr. Frank J. Minor, Senior Psychologist in the IBM Corporation as team leader directed the design, development and field testing of the ECES system.
Dr. Minor has received international awards for his research in the design of computer application for use in the fields of education, career planning, military intelligence, speech and data entry devices.
Created by the Experts
The FOCUS 2 systems reflect the ground-breaking work of nationally prominent psychologists and career development experts.
Dr. Frank J. Minor of IBM, Dr. Donald Super, considered by many to be the founding father of career development, Dr. Roger Myers and Dr. David Tiedeman, both former presidents of the APA Counseling Division, and Dr. David Campbell of the Campbell-Strong Interest Inventory.
Our Team2007-Present
Focus 2 Career, Focus 2 Apply, Focus 2 Explore
Design Team:
- Frank J. Minor, PhD, The Ohio State University
- David Minor, M.Ed., Columbia University Teachers College
- Janis Stokes, M.Ed., SUNY Buffalo
- Diane McCrudden, BA. SUNY New Paltz
Reviewing Consultants:
- Professor Roger A. Myers, Columbia University Teachers College
Clients
- College Career Services
- College Admissions
- High School Guidance
Platform
- Internet
Ownership
- Career Dimensions
2007
Focus 2 Version 2 Released
Developed by Career Dimensions, Inc.
Design Team:
- Frank J. Minor, PhD, The Ohio State University
- David Minor, M.Ed., Columbia University Teachers College
- Janis Stokes, M.Ed. SUNY Buffalo
- Diane McCrudden, BA. SUNY New Paltz
Reviewing Consultants:
- Professor Roger A. Myers, Columbia University Teachers College
Clients
- College Career Services
- College Admissions
- High School Guidance
Platform
- Internet
Ownership
- Career Dimensions
2003
Two new products added to the Focus 2 Suite
Focus 2 Apply, Focus 2 Explore (Originally called MCP) Developed by Career Dimensions
Design Team:
- Frank J. Minor, PhD, The Ohio State University
- David Minor, M.Ed., Columbia University Teachers College
- Janis Stokes, M.Ed. SUNY Buffalo
- Diane McCrudden, BA. SUNY New Paltz
Reviewing Consultants:
- Professor Roger A. Myers, Columbia University Teachers College
Clients
- Focus 2 Apply: College Admissions and Recruitment
- Focus 2 Explore: High School Guidance
Platform
- Focus 2 Apply: Internet
- Focus 2 Explore: Internet
Ownership
- Focus 2 APply: Career Dimensions
- Focus 2 Explore: Career Dimensions
1993-1999
FOCUS II For Windows
Developed by Career Dimensions, Inc.
Design Team:
- Frank J. Minor, PhD, The Ohio State University
- David Minor, M.Ed., Columbia University Teachers College
- Janis Stokes, M.Ed. SUNY Buffalo
- Diane McCrudden, BA. SUNY New Paltz
Reviewing Consultants:
- Professor Roger A. Myers, Columbia University Teachers College
Clients
- College Career Services
Platform
- Single PC
- Network
Ownership
- Career Dimensions
1992
FOCUS I For DOS Released
Developed by Career Dimensions, Inc.
Project Director:
- Frank J. Minor, PhD, The Ohio State University
- Professor Donald E. Super, Columbia University Teachers College
- Professor Roger A. Myers, Columbia University Teachers College
Clients
- College Career Centers
Platform
- Single PC
Ownership
- Career Dimensions
1991
Career Dimensions, Inc. Founded
Career Dimensions, Inc. is established and incorporated by Dr. Frank J. Minor.
1987
Frank J. Minor Retires from IBM
Dr. Frank J. Minor retires from the IBM Corporation. IBM granted him the exclusive rights to the intellectual property used in the systems developed by IBM.
1985-1987
Employee Development Planning System (EDPS)
Developed by the IBM National Service Division Headquarters, NY
Design Team:
- Frank J. Minor, PhD, The Ohio State University
- Professor Donald E. Super, Columbia University Teachers College
- Professor David V. Tiedeman, Harvard University
- Professor Roger A. Myers, Columbia University Teachers College
Clients
- IBM USA Employees
Platform
- Main Frame Network
Ownership
- IBM Corporation
1970-1975
IBM International Human Resource & Workforce Development System
Developed by IBM Europe Education Systems Development Centers in Stuttgart, Bonn, & Brussels
Design Team:
- Frank J. Minor, PhD, IBM Project Director
- Professor Donald E. Super, Columbia University Teachers College
Clients
- United Nations Employees
- European Ministries of Labor Employees
Platform
- Main Frame Network
Ownership
- IBM Corporation
1967-1970
Education & Career Exploration System (ECES)
Developed by the IBM Advanced Systems Development Division, Yorktown Heights, NY. USA
Design Team:
- Frank J. Minor, PhD, IBM Project Director
- Professor Donald E. Super, Columbia University Teachers College
- Professor David V. Tiedeman, Harvard University
- Professor Roger A. Myers, Columbia University Teachers College
Clients
- High Schools
Platform
- Main Frame Network
Ownership
- IBM Corporation
Publications and References
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Tirpak, David & Schlosser, L. (2013) Evaluating FOCUS 2's Effectiveness in Enhancing First-Year College Students' Social Cognitive Career Development. Career Development Quarterly, Volume 61, No.2 |
| 2000 | Iaccarino, G. (2000) Computer Assisted Career-Guidance Systems. In Luzzo, D A. (Ed.) Career Counseling of College Students. American Psychological Association Press, Washington, DC. |
| 1998 | Sampson, James P. Jr., and Reardon, Robert C., et al. (1998) A Differential Feature-Cost Analysis of Twenty One Computer Assisted Career Guidance Systems: Technical Report #10. Eighth Edition. Available at the International Career Development Library (online) http://www.icdl.uncg.edu/. |
| 1991 | Minor, F. J., (1991). Field evaluation of a computer-based career planning system. Journal of Career Development, 18, 111-122. |
| Minor, F. J., Slade, L. & Myers, R. A. (1991) Career Transitions in Changing Times. In Morrison, R. F. & Adams, J (Eds) Contemporary Career Development Issues. (109-120) Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers, Hillsdale, NJ | |
| Super, D. E. & Minor, F. J. (1987) Career Development Planning in Organizations. In B. Bass & P. Drenth (Eds.), Advances in Organizational Psychology, International Review (pp 83-98) Sage Press, Beverly Hills, CA | |
| 1987 | Minor, F. J., (1986) Computer-Applications in Career Development Planning. In D.T. Hall (Ed.) Career Development in Organizations. Jossey-Bass Publications, San Francisco. |
| 1978 | Super, D.E. (1978) From Information Retrieval Through Matching to Counseling to Career Development. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 51,19-28. |
| 1975 | Myers, R.A., Lindeman, R., Thompson, A. & Patrick, T. (1975) Effects of an Educational and Career Exploration System (ECES) on Vocational Maturity. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 6, 245-254. |
| Pilato, G. T., & Myers, R. A. (1975). The effects of computer-mediated vocational guidance procedures on the appropriateness of vocational preference. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 6, 61-72. | |
| Pilato, G. T., & Myers, R. A. (1973). Effects of computer-mediated vocational guidance procedures: Accuracy of self-knowledge. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 3, 167-174. | |
| 1973 | Minor, F. J., (1970). An experimental Educational & Career Exploration System. In D. E. Super (Ed.), Computer Assisted Counseling. New York: Teachers College Press, Columbia University. |
| 1970 | Super, D. E. (1970) Computer Assisted Counseling, New York: Teachers College Press, (pp. 1-6, 37-45, 83-99, 109-117). |
| Super. D. E., (1970) Using Computers in Guidance: An Experiment in Secondary Schools. Canadian Counselor, Vol 4, 11-21. | |
| Minor, F. J., Myers, R. A., & Super, D. E. (1969). An experimental computer based educational and career exploration system. Personnel and Guidance Journal, 47, 564-569. | |
| 1969 | Miller, Irwin; Minor, Frank J. (1963) Influence of multiple-choice answer form design on answer-marking performance. Journal of Applied Psychology vol. 47 issue 6 December 1963 pp. 374-379 |
| 1963 | Minor, Frank J.; Revesman, Stanley L., (1962.) Evaluation of input devices for a data setting task. Journal of Applied Psychology vol. 46 issue 5 October pp 332-336 |
| 1961 | Minor, Frank J., Revesman, Stanley L (1961) Experimental evaluation of binary codes for console display. Journal of Applied Psychology; Dec 61, Vol. 45 Issue 6, pp 381-386 |
| 1959 | Pepinsky, H., Pepinsky, P. N., Minor, F. J., Revesman, S.R. (1959) Team productivity and contradiction of management policy commitments. Journal of Applied Psychology, Volume 43, issue 4 (August 1959), pp. 264-268 |
| 1958 | Minor, F.J. (1958) The prediction of turnover of clerical employees, Personnel Psychology, Volume 11, Issue 3, pp 393–402 |
Speeches
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2015–Current | McCrudden, D. and Stokes, J., Social Justice in Career Planning and Career Development, Using Career Planning Systems in FYE and Career Planning courses, Artifical Intelligence in Career Planning, Successful Implementation of Career Planning Systems. Webinars. https://www.focus2career.com |
| 2012 | McCrudden, D. (2012), Social & Economic Benefits of Career Planning, National Institute of Certified College Planners, Las Vegas, NV. |
| 2011 | Stokes, J. (2011) Best Practices for Using FOCUS 2 in FYE. National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition Annual Conference, |
| 2010 | Minor, F.J., Forbes, D., & Minor, D. J., (2010). Career and vocational planning program for offenders: Effectiveness of computer assisted program. Workshop Presentation Defendant Offender Workforce Development Annual Conference, 2010, Dallas, TX. |
| 2010 | McCrudden, D. (2010), Social & Economic Benefits of Career Planning, National Institute of Certified College Planners, Las Vegas, NV. |
| 2009 | Minor, D. (2009) Computer Assisted Career Planning as a Tool to Support Workforce Development. New England Workforce Development Professionals Annual Conference, The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA |
| 2009 | Minor, F.J., Forbes, D., & Minor, D. J., (2009) Computer Assisted Career Planning to Support Youth Development Services. National Career Development Association Annual Conference, Washington DC. |
| 2009 | McCrudden, D. (2009), Social & Economic Benefits of Career Planning, National Institute of Certified College Planners, Las Vegas, NV. |
| 2009 | McCrudden, D. (2009), Computer Assisted Career Planning for High School Students, Arkansas Conference for Workforce Education, Career Guidance, Exploration, and Preparation, Little Rock, AR. |
| 2008 | McCrudden, D. (2008), Social & Economic Benefits of Career Planning, National Institute of Certified College Planners, Las Vegas, NV. |
| 1990 | Minor, F. J. (1990) Effectiveness of a Computer-Based Career Explorations System. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Saint Louis, MO. |
| 1987 | Minor, F. J., & Myers, R. A. (1986). Computer Applications to Support Employee Development Planning. Workshop and Paper presented at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association, New York City, NY. |
| 1985 | Myers, R. A., & Minor, F. J. (1985) Field Evaluation of a Computer-Based System for Employee Development Planning. Paper presented at the British Psychological Society, University of Warwick, Warwick, United Kingdom. |
| 1979 | Super, D. E. & Minor, F. J. (1970) Development of Systems for Use in Career Guidance: Paper presented at Cambridge University Conference sponsored by the Career Research Advisory Center, Cambridge, United Kingdom. |
| 1973 | Minor, F. J. (1973) Evaluation Results of a Computer Based Career Exploration System in High Schools in the USA. Paper presented at International Association of Applied Psychology Annual Conference, Brussels, Belgium |
| 1970 | Myers, R. A., & Minor, F. J. (1970) Design & Development of a Computer-based Career & Education Exploration System. Paper presented at the International Teleconference on Technology and Career Development Planning, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. |
| 1970 | Super, D. E. & Minor, F. J. (1970) Computer Applications in Career Guidance. Talk given to the Executive Committee, International Association of Applied Psychology Geneva Switzerland |
| 1970 | Super, D. E. & Minor, F. J. (1970) Development of Systems for Use in Career Guidance: Paper presented at Cambridge University Conference sponsored by the Career Research Advisory Center, Cambridge, United Kingdom |
| 1969 | Super, D. E. & Minor, F. J. (1969) Using Computers in Career Guidance in Secondary Schools in the USA. Paper presented at International Association of Applied Psychology Annual Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 1969 | Super, D. E., & Minor, F. J. (1969) An experimental computer-based educational and career exploration system (ECES). Paper presented at the annual conference of the National Vocational Guidance Association, New Orleans, LA. |
| 1967 | Minor, F. J. (1967) Design Features & Research Results of the Use of a Computer-based Career Planning System. Key Note speech, Ontario School Counselors National Conference, Toronto, Canada |