Abstract
To successfully progress in achieving the objective of vocational and technical education, it is necessary to determine the students’ satisfaction levels with the programmes as it relates to their career decision efficacy. This research, therefore, determined the demographic predictors in the relation between academic major satisfaction and negative career thoughts. The research was guided with four hypothesized research questions. Cross-sectional design that embedded a correlational survey was employed. The participants were 622 vocational education undergraduates selected from a public state-owned university in South-west Nigeria. The students’ demographic variables (e.g. gender, academic level of study, age, and subject areas of specialization), academic major satisfaction scale, and negative career outlook sub-scale were the main constituents of the questionnaire that was used for data collection. Data analyses were performed using mean, standard deviation, bivariate correlation, and regression analyses. Results depicted that the students’ satisfaction with their academic major significantly predicted their negative career thoughts. It was also found that gender, academic level and subject areas of specializations were the demographic variables that predicted satisfaction with one’s academic major, as well as negative career thoughts. Intervention studies were therefore recommended for career behaviour modification among vocational education undergraduates. Keywords: academic major satisfaction, career thought, demographic variables, vocational education students.
Highlights
While it is a common practice among university fresh graduates to embark on job search especially in their areas of study, it is necessary for an individual to consider his/her abilities and skills in career decision making
The results showed that academic major satisfaction significantly predicted negative career thoughts (F = 138.842, β = - .428, p < .001) of the students
The focus of this research is on the relationship between academic major satisfaction and negative career thoughts among vocational education undergraduates in Nigeria
Summary
While it is a common practice among university fresh graduates to embark on job search especially in their areas of study, it is necessary for an individual to consider his/her abilities and skills in career decision making. In an academic programme where students tend to exhibit dissatisfaction with their major, these sets of questions may help to guide against the fear of career failure upon graduation. In vocational and technical education in Nigeria, many seem to perceive its programmes as less prestigious; which may lead to academic major dissatisfaction among students (Chukwuedo, 2018). The level at which a student tends to exhibit a positive attitude, acceptance, inclination, as well as have a psychological bond to his/her major dovetails to academic major satisfaction. Just as job satisfaction represents an indicator for career decision making among employees
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