KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER CHOICE DECISIONS OF FORM FOUR STUDENTS IN KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF KIAMBU DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

Form four class has been identified as a critical decision point in the career choice making

process of students. In form four the students are faced with the tasks of career decision. In this

class students will have to make choices about their imminent future - A review to major

theories relating to career determination will be undertaken. Decision making theories have

identified age range 16-18 years, as being one of the critical decision periods for an adolescent.

Most of the students in form four fall under this age bracket. The target population for this study

will be the form four students from different government sponsored secondary school in Kiambu

district and will be given questionnaires designed to probe students on the factors to

consideration in decision making on career choice. A four-point likert scale will be used to assess

these factors as they relate to students. Respondents will be asked to indicate the level of

importance of the # of statements describing potential influences within their decision making

process. The information gained from the questionnaires will be analyzed as tabled. The data will

then be presented in graphs and charts. Comparative analysis on data collected will be done

based on gender to estab lish the difference in anchored on development theories of career choice.

These include Lent, Bronx and Hackett's social cognitive career theory ( 1987) Super's Theory of

vocational choice (1954), Holland 's career Typology (1959) and lent, Brown and Hackett's

social cognitive career Theory ( 1987). Descriptive-qualitative approach will be taken in the

analysis of the data. This study intends to be a resourceful reference material to guidance and

counseling department of secondary schools in Kenya parents and students who have to make

decisions on their future career.