Effect of career interest on students’ career choice in technical secondary schools in the south west region of Cameroon

Abstract

This study investigated the ‘effects of career interest on students’ career choice in Technical Secondary Schools in the South West Region of Cameroon’. This study was predicated on the understanding that technical secondary school students face numerous challenges when making a career choice earlier in the academic ladder necessitating specific intervention to enhance a stable career choice. The objective was to examine how much career interest affects students’ career choices in Technical Secondary. Methodologically, the study employed a mixed-method approach with a quasi experimental design, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative elements. The research sample comprised 20 students and 45 guidance counselors selected from the South West Region of Cameroon, with selection criteria based on document analysis for students and the Division with the most populated guidance counselors. Data collection was facilitated through questionnaires, and the analysis incorporated both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The Likelihood ratio test was used in testing the hypotheses from data collected from the guidance counselors. Independent Sample T-test was also used to compare how students in both the control and experimental groups at the pretest and post-test levels differ in their mean scores. The qualitative data derived from open-ended questions were analyzed using the thematic analysis approach with the aid of themes. The research revealed a remarkably strong correlation between students' career interests and their ultimate career choices. This relationship was substantiated by an overwhelming 90.8% consensus among guidance counselors and further validated by a robust contingency value of 0.825, demonstrating statistical significance with a p-value of 0.000, well below the 0.05 threshold. Based on these compelling results, the researchers proposed several actionable recommendations for guidance counselors. These include the development and implementation of individualized career interest assessments, the creation of comprehensive exposure programs featuring hands-on experiences, mentorship opportunities, and industry visits, and the establishment of ongoing motivation and monitoring systems to support students throughout their career decision-making journey. These recommendations reflect a holistic approach to career guidance that acknowledges the crucial role of sustained engagement and practical experience in shaping effective career choices.