Influence of selected social factors on career decisionmaking of grade 12 learners in township secondary schools in South Afric

Abstract

Career decision-making is a challenge to most learners in secondary schools in South Africa. The present study examined the influence of selected social factors (influence of older siblings, peer influence, teacher's influence, and career information services) on career decision-making of grade 12 learners in township secondary schools in South Africa. A correlational survey research design was adopted. The sample size of 260 learners was obtained using the stratified random sampling technique. The questionnaire including peer influence, teacher's influence, career information service, the influence of older siblings, and career decision-making was used to collect data. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient analysis was used to measure the internal consistency of the questionnaire and all sub-scales had excellent internal consistency reliability. The Kaiser-Meyer-Oklin measure of sample adequacy (KMO Index) and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity were used to confirm internal validity. Quantitative data were analysed using inferential statistics such as Pearson Product Moment Correlation, linear, and multiple regression analysis. According to the findings, the strongest correlation was between teacher influence and career decision-making (r=.643, n=204, p.01), followed by the relationship between career information services and career decision-making (r =.607, n=204, p.01), but peer influence had the least relationship with career decision-making (r (204) =.514, p.01. The influence of older siblings also had a significant direct relationship with career decision-making among the grade 12 learners (r=.566, n=204, p<.01). The study recommends that teacher counsellors should adopt a multifaceted approach in developing career decision-making programmes for learners in secondary schools.