Parental and peer influence on career choice among secondary school students. a case study of Mombasa Sub-County

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Date
2015-12
Authors
Kala, Nzambali Joyce
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate parental and peer influence on career choice among secondary school students in Mombasa sub-county. The study objectives were: to find out the influence of parental occupation on career choice among public secondary school students in Mombasa sub-County; to explore the influence of parental social-economic status on career choice among public secondary school students in Mombasa sub-County; to determine the influence of parental support on career choice among public secondary school students in Mombasa sub-County; to investigate how peer pressure influences career choice public among secondary school students in Mombasa sub-County and to identify ways of influencing positive career choice among public secondary school students in Mombasa sub-County. This study used the theory of Self Determination Theory. Descriptive survey design was employed. The target population in this study included form II students and parents who had schooled or were schooling children in secondary schools in Mombasa sub-County. Total respondents of 210 were used in the study. The study used the questionnaire and the interview guide as the major instruments for data collection. Data was analyzed descriptively with the use of Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18.0. The study found that parents who encouraged their children to follow their career path were major players in career selection of the student. This was recorded with a mean of 3.8 (1.2). The study found that the least influence f parental support was joining higher learning institutions. Means of influencing positive career choice include field exposure to careers via education tours (76%) provision of professional role models (82.14%), proper career guidance (78.42%) at school and non-discrimination (88.73%) of students. The study findings will benefit the student in understanding the importance of making a decisive non-biased career choice so as to avoid future regrets. The findings will help parents in comprehending their role in guiding students to select life careers.
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A research project submmitted to the department of educational management, policy and curriculum studies, school of education in partial fulfilment for the award .of Master of Education Degree of Kenyatta University. December, 2015
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