INFLUENCE OF SOCIOECONOMIC VARIABLES ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' CAREER CHOICES

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of socio-economic variables which are family background, family income and peer group on career choice of secondary school students in Taraba State, Nigeria. This research work adopted descriptive survey research design. The population for this study was 2,247 students out of which a total of three hundred and twenty-seven (327) students from public secondary schools in Takum Education Zone, Taraba State were drawn through multistage sampling. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled Career Choice Questionnaire (CCQ). The items of CCQ were subjected to face and content validity. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach alpha. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.71. Chi-square statistics was used to test the hypotheses formulated. Findings from the study show that there was significant influence of Family background, Family income, and Peer group on students’ career choice. The study recommended that parents irrespective of their economic background and occupation should properly guide their children in the areas of career choice; Students should be educated and guided by school counselors and teachers on the potential influence of peer, helping them critically evaluate the advice they received from their friends, empower them to prioritize their own values and choice over peer conformity.