Demographic Factors, Career Personality Types and Self-Efficacy as Predictors of Career Indecision among College Students in Machakos County, Kenya
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Date
2021
Authors
Walya, Ruth Kasiva
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Career decision making stands out as a significant and complex milestone college students have to make. Making this major decision has been made difficult by the rapid growth in information technology, industrial growth, the ever increasing job dynamics and competition. Research has shown that about 50% of post-secondary learners encounter career indecision problems and has become a major issue presented by students for counselling in institutions of higher learning. This study sought to establish the extent to which demographic characteristics of gender, age and course of choice, career personality types and self-efficacy predict career indecision among college students. The objectives of the study were to ;( i) establish the career personality types of college students;(ii) investigate the relationship between career personality types and career indecision; (iii) determine the relationship between self-efficacy and career indecision; (iv) establish the relationship between gender and career indecision and (v) establish the prediction model for career indecision among college students in Machakos County. The theoretical framework of the study was based on Holland’s RIASEC Career Theory and the Social Cognitive Career Theory. The study adopted a correlational study design. The sample size was 250 college students derived using purposive and simple random sampling methods from Machakos University College, Machakos Teachers Training College and Machakos Medical Training College. The main data collection tool was a questionnaire that included the RIASEC Personality Scale, the General Self-efficacy Scale, and the Career Indecision Scale. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Based on the study findings 68% of the respondents had the Social personality type, 46% had the Conventional personality type, 37%, Enterprising, 35% Realistic and 18% Artistic. 40.8% of the respondents reported career indecision with 30.39% of these drawn from the Social career personality type. Though male participants reported higher career indecision (58%), no significant difference in career indecision was found due to difference in gender. It was observed that 68.8% of the respondents had high self-efficacy compared to 31.2% who had low self-efficacy. Self-efficacy significantly and highly impacted on career indecisiveness. Career indecision problem is a major issue among learners and requires to be addressed. The study recommends that the government considers including career education in the curriculum and strengthening career counselling structures especially in the secondary and tertiary levels of learning. There is need to nurture the self-efficacy of learners at all levels as it significantly contributes to career indecision among learners. The study recommends that similar studies be done in different geographical zones to determine if the study findings can be generalized to similar populations. A longitudinal study could be done to determine if there would be differences in the findings over a period of time.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Education (Guidance and Counselling) in the School of Education Kenyatta University, November, 2021
Keywords
Demographic Factors, Career Personality, Types and Self-Efficacy, Predictors, Career Indecision, College Students, Machakos County, Kenya