Patterns of Career Aspiration Among Senior Secondary School Chemistry
Chapter One
PURPOSE OF STUDY
The main purpose of this study is to: explain the possible influence of students’ career aspirations on their academic achievement. Determine the relative popularity of different career aspirations among students and determine relative patterns of career aspiration among chemistry students based on (1) gender and (ii) school type.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OD RELATED LITERATURE
Career Aspiration
Career vocational aspiration is for younger or older adults to either start a new career or enter a new vocation that they have never done. Career aspirations represent an individual’s orientation towards a desired vocation goal under ideal conditions. More simply stated vocational aspirations provide information about an individual’s interests and hopes, unfitted by reality (Hellenga, Aber& Rhodes, 2002; Joseph, 2009). Career aspiration is a person’s desired career or career aim. In other words, vocational aspiration is defined as the desire to achieve a particular vocation. People’s vocational aspiration can be categorized into limited number of types (Geek, 2009).The following are five examples of vocational aspirations: Traditional career success aspiration describes people who are motivated and inspired to advance their professional skills for achieving a progress in the organization’s hierarchy level. People seek positions that have the potential to establish status responsibility, higher salary and authority. People also seek solid jobs that represent stability and predictability. This aspiration describes people who prefer to work at workplaces that offer a long term secured position over advancement .Expertise aspiration describes people who seek positions that offer technical careerprofessional enhancement and technological interest. Such people would like to become experts in their professional area.Freedom aspiration is exhibited by people who seek individualism. Such a person wants to get autonomy for his thoughts and activities. These are people who are motivated by values such as freedom and independence.Balance aspiration also describes people who consider their career equal or lower as compared to other non-work values and interests such as family and religion butpreferred jobs that respect their interests on their personal life. According to Gottfredson (1981) cited in Geek(2009), vocational aspiration is the single occupation named as one’s best alternative at any given time. As perceptions of compatibility and accessibility change, so does a person’s assessment of which alternative is the best, even though the social space may be stable.
The career aspirations of senior secondary school students studying chemistry.
The career aspirations of senior secondary school students studying chemistry are influenced by various factors, including their interests, aptitudes, exposure to the subject, and societal influences..
Chemists and Chemical Engineers: Many students who excel in chemistry aspire to become chemists or chemical engineers. These careers often require a strong foundation in chemistry. According to the American Chemical Society (ACS), chemistry graduates can work in a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to materials science, with excellent job prospects.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine patterns of career aspiration among senior secondary school chemistry. Selected secondary schools in Ibadan form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain patterns of career aspiration among senior secondary school chemistry.. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing patterns of career aspiration among senior secondary school chemistry.
Summary
This study was on patterns of career aspiration among senior secondary school chemistry. The purpose of the study was the main purpose of this study is to: explain the possible influence of students’ career aspiration on their academic achievement. Determine the relative popularity of different career aspiration among students and determine relative patterns of career aspiration among chemistry students based on (1) gender and (ii) school type. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected secondary schools in Ibadan. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
There is some level of effect from the academic performance of a students on the aspired career. If students’ academic achievement is improved, their career aspirations would also be influenced.
Recommendation
The study recommends that the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Tema Educational Directorate and the head teachers of the sampled schools should make quality education a priority in the various schools to ensure students’ academic improvement. The Assembly and the Educational Directorate in collaboration with the various school authorities should educate parents on the role of academic performance in the career aspiration of their wards and the urgent need to motivate and encourage their wards extrinsically and intrinsically to learn harder and diligently
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