FACTORS AFFECTING THE CAREER ASPIRATIONS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Multiple factors influence the career aspirations of students in secondary schools. The study aimed to explore the career aspirations of secondary school students, factors affecting the career aspirations of students, gender wise comparison of factors affecting the career aspirations of male and female students and the development of effective strategies for career guidance of students in secondary schools. All the students of government higher secondary schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan were the population of the study, however; study sample of (1000) students was selected through cluster sampling while for gathering qualitative data a sample of 20 students was purposively selected. The study utilized mixed methods explanatory sequential for which quantitative data was gathered through questionnaire and qualitative data through semi-structured interviews. Further, quantitative data was analyzed using Chi-square statistics while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study explored that Medical, Teaching, Engineering, Armed forces and Civil services as major career aspirations of secondary schools’ students. It was also highlighted that effect of students’ parents, personalities, socio-economic status, families, society and its traditions, as major factors affecting the career aspirations of students, while a significant gender wise differences was found as male career aspirations were based on their personalities, parents and socio-economic status while parents, personality and family as major factors affecting the career choices of female students and recommended the provision of career guidance facilities for effective career planning of students in secondary schools.