Predictors of vocational interest

Abstract

Vocational interest has been identified as one of the impotent factors to assess the occupational choices, job stability and performance in the selected career besides being an unavoidable psychological trait in career counseling. It is noticed that numerous studies have been undertaken on vocational interest as an independent variable but despite being so important factor in the world of work, it has been explored nominal as to what extent cognitive and non-cognitive factors contribute in the development of interest in one Vocation more than the other. The present study aims to investigate the contribution of some of the important psychological traits in the prediction and development of vocational interests. 272 students of Xth standard from randomly selected 8 schools managed under defense sectors in three states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and A.P. were taken for the study. Data were collected using standardized tools. Multiple correlation and Regressions were used for the analysis. The result showed that composite contribution of personality traits, Self-concept, Achievement motivation and Academic Achievements ranged from 9.07% to 28.42% in the prediction of vocational interests. The study was concluded with implications and some important suggestions. Keywords: Vocational interest, Self-Concept, Personality, Achievement, Motivation, Prediction.