ATTITUDE, SELF-CONCEPT AND CAREER CHOICE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TARABA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated attitude, self-concept and career choice among secondary school students in Jalingo education zone, Taraba State, Nigeria. Two research purposes and two hypotheses guided the study. The study work adopted a correlational research design. The population for this study was 9,807 public secondary school students out of which 384 students were sample through mutlti-stage sampling procedure. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaires titled “Students’ Attitudes, Self-Concept and Career Choice Questionnaire” (SASCQ). The instrument (SASCQ) was subjected to face and content validity. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach alpha which yielded 0.71 reliability index. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed there is a significant positive relationship between students’ attitudes and career choice (r =0.347, p<0.000). There is also a significant positive relationship between self-concept and career choice (r = 0.343, p < 0.000). It was concluded that both students’ attitudes and self-concept have a significant positive correlation with career choices among secondary school students in the Jalingo education zone of Taraba State, Nigeria. It was recommended that Schools should implement comprehensive career guidance and counseling programs to help students develop a clear understanding of their interests, abilities, and career goals.