Career Choice in Secondary Schools and its Effects on Job Security in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines career choice in secondary schools and its effects on job security in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The research was guided by Donald Super's Theory of Career Development (1957) and Holland's Theory of Vocational Personalities and Work Environments (1959). Three objectives and corresponding research questions were formulated to direct the study. A total of 300 Senior Secondary Three (SS3) students were randomly selected from three secondary schools in Abak Local Government Area. Data were collected through structured questionnaires designed using a Likert scale to capture respondents' opinions clearly and objectively. Out of the 300 questionnaires administered, 287 were correctly filled and returned, representing a high response rate. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage methods, while the chi-square (χ²) statistical tool was employed to test the three hypotheses formulated. Findings revealed a significant relationship between career choice and job security among secondary school students in Akwa Ibom State. Based on the results, the study recommended that guidance and counseling units should be strengthened in schools to help students make informed career decisions. It also emphasized the need for parents to play supportive rather than prescriptive roles and for government to create job opportunities and structured platforms that assist young people in choosing careers that promote professional stability and contribute to societal development.