CAREER CHOICE AND ITS EFFECTS ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION                      

1.1    Background of the Study 
Career selection is one of many important choices students make in determining future plans. This decision will impact them throughout their lives because; the essence of who the student is revolves around what the student wants to do with their life-long work. Super, Savicks, and Super (1996) maintains that initial career decision-making is a cultural developmental task that students are expected to have accomplished by the end of their high school year. Career selection has become a complex science with the advent of information technology, the emergence of post industrial revolution and job competition. At secondary school level, a student is expected to have knowledge of what he or she intends to do in the future, this in turn guides the choice of subjects the West African Certificate (WACE). 
This decision – making is very important and students must be allowed to choose their careers because it will create awareness in the students mind for the challenges ahead (Joans, 1986). The younger generation is the future of any society. Therefore, their career choices should help them develop the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to successfully examine their lives, while exploring and evaluating a wide range of career options to attain goals in the future. 
Ini Local Government Area came into existence in September 23, 1991. Ini people are known for their rich cultural heritage which bears strict similarities with those of other Ibibio communities in the state. They are predominantly farmers who cultivate their products in commercial quantities. Their specialization in mat making has introduced them into trading, which not only takes them to the width and breath of AkwaIbom but beyond causing them to interact with people from other countries. In this modern and computer age, Ini people have adjusted to other occupations like nursing, teaching, engineering etc. This has given rise to multiple careers and choices from which the students in the Local Government can make. 
Participation in activities at home, school, community, gives room for interaction among the students and this opens their minds to possibilities, placing factors or determinants to their choices of career. These factors guides them to choose careers they can excel in, because in the future, a career choice a student had made must be able to sustain him or her through times of financial, emotional family, political and educational needs etc. Clearly, career choice is purposeful or necessary and must be carefully done to avoid regrets. Students forced into any career find it difficult to embrace and adjust to the challenges that come, thereby leaving the student at a choice of being stagnant or retreating as the case may be. 
This also discourages the student and puts him or her in a position of not wanting to try anything new or different in a case where the student cannot excel to maximum expectation. Indeed, career choice is for development and the choice of a career must satisfy the expectations of the student(s) to attain higher heights as he or she strives to succeed. This work is hinged on the determinants of career choice among secondary school students in Ini Local Government Area.

1. 1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

          It has been observed that most secondary school students are faced with the problem of choosing a career. This is due to mainly the lack of guidance and counseling services in the schools. They make choice on their own depending on the subject that is being offered and taught in school.

1. 1. PURPOSE OF STUDY

          The purpose of this study is to investigate, identify and examine the determinants of career choice among secondary school students in Oshimili local government area of AkwaIbom state.

          At the end of this study, the researcher would be able to determined the extent of the problems and proffer suggestions  that will help the students in making valuable and meaningful choice of career rather than making a wrong choice determined outside their interest, capability and talent.

1. 1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

          This study will facilitate the act of making choice among many opportunities available, since it is aimed at looking at the problems the secondary school students face in making their choice of career. The result of this study will give an educationist an insight into the problem and also help counselors in guiding students to make a more realistic occupational choice, limiting frustrations and withdrawals.

          The findings of this study will further assist the students in making the rightful choice of career and also help those students to lay good foundations for themselves in their field of interest, ability and talent that will invariably develop the child physically, intellectually and emotionally to become useful to him/herself and the society at large.

          Lastly, the findings of this study will serve as reference material for students of education, the reading public and those who wish to conduct further research in this area.

1.5     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

          In an attempt to find the solution to the problem above, the following research questions were postulated for study.

1. Do the students’ aptitude, ability and interest determine their choice of career?
2. Can peers and associates influence students’ choice of career?
3. Does Guidance and counseling in schools determine students’ choice of career?
4. Can the subjects studied in schools determine the students’ choice of career?

1.6     DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

1. Occupational choice: This refers to psychological preference or desires the individual has regarding work status. It is the continuing process of occupational selection resulting in the eventual attainment of the occupational status.
2. Adolescent: Those between the ages of 12-18years of age.
3. Peer group: This refers to age group of students. It means the association of, or the social relationship between people who fall within the same age range.
4. Career: This means the choice of occupation.
5. Occupational Aspiration: This refers to aspiration for a high or low prestige level of job.
6. Talent: Any natural or special gift, aptitude eminent ability short of genius.

1.7     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

          This study was designed to examine the determinants of careers choice among secondary school students in Ini Local Government Area of AkwaIbom State with special focus on public secondary schools. It was not possible to use all the public secondary schools in Ini Local Government Area of the State, therefore six were selected for this study. Twenty students which will be randomly selected from each of the six schools are expected to be used for the research.