Influence of Socio-Economic and Prestige Factors on Career Aspirations of Secondary School Students in Ghana

Abstract

The study examined the influence of some selected socio-economic and prestige factors on the career aspirations of secondary school students in Ghana. Variations in the influence of the factors on students’ career aspirations based on their demographiccharacteristics were also investigated. Participants consisted of 1075 males and 1265 females (N=2340) randomly selected from 22 senior secondary schools through a multistaged stratified sampling. A survey instrument with a Cronbach Alpha reliabilitycoefficient of a = 0.85 was used. Data were analysed with percentages, mean, standard deviation and Analyses of Variance (One-way). Results revealed that socio-economic and prestige factors have high influence on students’ career aspirations. Students’ desire to help improve community life was reported as the most significant socio-economic factor that influences their career aspirations. Significant differences in the influence of socioeconomic and prestige factors on students’ career aspirations were reported in respect of school setting and school-type. Implications of the findings for counselling and human resource development are discussed. This includes the need for career counsellors to recognize the relevant socio-economic and prestige factors that influence students’ aspirations in their career guidance sessions to enable them better assist their clients.