Determinants of Career Choice among G.C.E. Ordinary Level students in Sri Lanka with special reference to the Kalutara District, Western Province

Abstract

Career decisions or choices are important in deciding the future of a person. Although the area of study; career choice has been studied a few times previously among graduates, university students, and A/L students, no studies have been conducted among G.C.E. Ordinary Level Students. The main purpose of this mix-convergent non-experimental study was to scrutinize the career choice of G.C.E.O/L students in Sri Lanka. Two samples, including 110 students by stratified sampling and 10 teachers by random sampling, were recruited. Students studying at 4 types of schools in Kalutara District were urged to complete a self-administered question-naire, and 10 teachers were interviewed. SPSS software was used to analyze quantitative data with intense analysis, whereas con-tent analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Based on the ISCO-08 classification, a subcategory of 'professionals' was preferred mostly by G.C.E.O/L students. Above all, 'personal interest' was found to be the most influential determinant of career choice. 59.1% of the students were not aware of career guidance programmes available in the country, while 7.3% have not yet decided on a career choice. Different social, economic, and personal or psychological impacts of choosing a career are discussed in the current report. The findings of the research would pave the path for future researchers to investigate more on determinants of career choice of students and the issues faced by the students when deciding a career. More implications for career guides, counselors in the educational field, and educational psychologists would be discussed.