Abstract
This research investigates the career preferences of middle and high school students in Kuwait, focusing on the impact of early career guidance. The main concern is the absence of organized career counseling in schools, which often results in confusion and poor alignment between students' aspirations and their actual career choices. A significant number of students face difficulties in making well-informed decisions regarding their future careers due to a lack of exposure to various professions. These choices are frequently shaped by societal pressures and family expectations. The study's primary goals are to examine students' career interests, identify the factors that shape these interests, and assess the role of early career advice in guiding their career decisions. The research involved a sample of 350 students from middle and high schools across Kuwait, selected randomly. Data were collected through structured surveys and analyzed using SPSS, with additional qualitative insights included for a more comprehensive understanding. The findings show that societal influences, family expectations, and the prestige of professions like medicine, engineering, and education play a major role in students' career interests. A lack of exposure to a broad range of career options often limits students' ability to make fully informed decisions. Based on these results, the study suggests introducing formal career counseling programs in schools to offer students the opportunity to explore a wider array of career possibilities. Providing early guidance and access to various career paths could significantly improve decision-making, helping students make choices that align with their abilities and interests, leading to greater long-term satisfaction in their professional lives.
Published Version
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