Views of Secondary School Students towards the Effectiveness of Career Days in assisting them to choose a Career

Abstract

This study sought to find out the views students have on the effectiveness of career days in assisting them to choose a career. Data were collected, through the use of a questionnaire, from a sample of eighty ‘O’ and ‘A’ level students from Chipadze High School in Bindura. All the respondents who participated in this research attended the careers day session organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The data revealed that most students benefited from attending the careers day sessions. Organizations that made their displays and presentations provided useful information that enabled the high school students to identify potential careers of their choice. The career day sessions were therefore quite useful. The study however, recommends that more and diverse players from industry, commerce and law need to be invited to attend careers days to provide high school students with information and thus assisting them to choose a future career from an informed perspective. There is need to introduce career guidance and counselling programs in secondary schools and having trained counsellors who assist students in career choices.