Factors influencing career choices by students in tertiary institutions in Kenya; a case of Youth polytechnics in Bungoma County

Abstract

This study sets out to investigate factors influencing career choices in institutions in Bungoma County such as gender, availability of physical facilities, job opportunities and students' background. Different studies have been done in different parts of the world in regard to performance and employment of youths as indicated in literature review of this study, yet little has been done on factors influencing career choices in tertiary institutions .. The project report highlighted some important terminologies like career and youths. Chapter 1 outlines that fluctuation of students' enrollment in trades can not match the skill and employment opportunities. The objectives on the other hand were to assess influence of gender.

physical facilities, job opportunities, student background and government policy on career choices in youth polytechnics in Bungoma County. The significance of the study is to benefit the youths to understand the careers to choose and help government come up with strategies like career offices in both primary and secondary schools. The study was limited to fifteen youth polytechnics in Bungoma County with an assumption that the correspondent would be willing to give their views freely. It further discussed the literature review on tertiary institutions globally, locally in Kenya and gave proposal of the factors that influence career choices in youth polytechnics. It summarized the factors in a conceptual framework.

The methodology used was survey design in which descriptive statistics was used. The target population was set to be 15 youth polytechnics, with 1340 students having a sample population of 140 students being used in the study. The study used a questionnaire in collection of data. The sample was calculated using Yamane Taro formula (1967). The analysis, presentation and interpretation of the results done in chapter 4, shows that factors like gender, physical facilities, peer pressure, students' background and job opportunities, influence the choices of career among the students in youth polytechnics.

The trades offered in tertiary institutions are selected basing on some classes .For example those that are labor intensive are mainly for male . However, gender, peer pressure and students' background had a higher influence to students choices than other factors. Chapter 5, points out that enrolment of students in careers in tertiary institutions fluctuate due to external pressure like peer pressure, gender and job opportunities. These findings were in agreement with the imperial literature presented. The researcher then recommended some measures to be undertaken to reduce the current problems caused by poor career choices. This include advising ministry of education to set up bridging causes courses, workshops and seminars in tertiary institutions to help students project on careers which would march with the job market the time they complete their studies.