VARIABLES INFLUENCING CAREER CHOICE AMONG PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Author Name: Mr. Ayobami A. Oyedeji

Volume: 01 &  Issue:

Country: NIGERIA

DOI NO.: NA, DOI Link: http://doi-ds.org/doilink/08.2020-25662434/

Affiliation:

1. Department of Educational Management, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
   E-mail:oyedejiayobami2011@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Choosing a career is an important step that influences the aspirations of undergraduate admission seekers. Students sometimes are unable to make a decision about the career they wish to pursue later in life. Stakeholders in the educational sectors have observed that most highschool leavers in Nigeria often make wrong decisions as regard to their career due to motivation, peer group and parental influence. Therefore, this paper examined variables influencing career choice among highschool students, Osun State. The study adopted descriptive survey research design while 10 public high schools in Irewole and Isokan Local Government, Osun State were selected using total enumeration method technique. Simple random sampling technique was adopted to select 20 students from each school sampled to have a total of 200 respondents. Questionnaire was the research instrument developed and used to collect data. This instrument was subjected to reliability through Cronbach’s Alpha method and 0.79 of reliability coefficient was found. Simple percentages, frequency counts, regression and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used in analyzing the data collected. The study revealed that opportunity available to the students, motivation, peer group and parental influence relatively and jointly contributed to career choice among undergraduate admission seekers. The result equally indicated that career choice among highschool students, Osun State was found to be poor. Government should employed more teaching and teaching personnel to all public high schools in order to provide the necessary assistance and support for students from different parental background so as to enhance their career aspiration.Parents should not allow their educational background, income level and occupation influence become barriers for career choice of their children.

Key words: Opportunity Available to the Student, Motivation, Peer Influence, Parental Influence and Career Choice