Career Choice: A Challenge For High School Students.

ABSTRACT

This thesis investigates career choice from an industrial-psychological perspective in

Namibia. The research question aimed to investigate whether Namibian youth are

aware of the need to make career choice and whether they do make conscious career

decisions. To assess career development and choice of students, Super’s Career

Development Theory was employed as the theoretical framework for this study. Only

students in Grade 12 from two previous disadvantaged schools in Windhoek were

selected by means of the convenience sampling method (total sample was N = 101).

The study employed a quantitative research approach. Findings revealed that

respondents who would like to study further were ready to choose a career. The

findings showed a significant correlation (r = 0.40; p 0. 001) between respondents

who would like to study further in order to obtain their future goals and the readiness

to make a career choice. However, respondents felt that they needed more information

about themselves, their abilities and capabilities, weaknesses and strengths, as well as

information about who they are in order to make conscious career decisions. Findings

also revealed that there is a correlation (r = 0.31; p 0.04) between age and how the

respondents carry out their responsibilities at present. The younger respondents felt

less sure about their capability in carrying out their responsibilities. The study also

found a correlation (r = 0.40; p 0.001) between satisfaction in carrying out

responsibilities and having confidence in carrying out future career related tasks.

Findings also revealed that there is a correlation (r = 0.30; p = 0.35) between self-awareness and awareness of own strength and weakness.

The findings of the study indicated that career guidance should be deemed as a necessity and not as a luxury for the benefit of the youth. Schools, students, parents, government, public and private sectors should recognise the importance of career guidance and education, if change in our working environment is desired, in order to reduce unemployment in the country and promote expectation of high quality of life for every individual and as a nation. Only then will our people’s potential be useful to the development of Namibia.