FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER CHOICES AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL PHYSICS STUDENTS IN ONITSHA EDUCATION ZONE

Abstract

Career choice is a complex decision for students since it determines the kind of profession they intend to pursue in life. As students try to make career choice while in secondary school, they face problem of matching their career choices with their abilities and school performance. However, studies indicate that most students enter into careers that are totally different from the ones they choose while in secondary schools. The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing career choice among secondary school physics students in Onitsha education zone. The study was conducted using descriptive survey research method. Sample was collected using simple random sampling method. A total number of 360 secondary physics students selected from the sampled secondary schools in Onitsha education zone were used for the study. The data was collected using close ended questionnaire and analyzed using simple percentage. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire instrument is 0.89. The findings of the study indicate that availability of career advancement, learning experiences, job security, career advancement among others have their influence when choosing a career. However, it was also discovered that gender does not play a vital role when selecting career choices among students.