Relationship between Occupational Self- Concept and Career Interest among Senior Secondary School Students in Suleja Educational Zone of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research work investigates the relationship between occupational
self-concept and career interest among senior secondary school students
in Suleja educational zone of Niger State. The study mainly focused on
two occupational environments which constitute the two components
of this study. The study adopted a correlational research design. The
sample size of this study comprises of 170 respondents; out of which
92 respondents were majored in outdoor occupational environment
while 78 were majored in mechanical occupational environment. Modified
Version of Occupational Self-Concept Scale and Vocational Interest
Inventory were used for data collection. Two hypotheses were tested
using Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics at 0.05 level of
significance. Results of the analysis revealed among other that significant
negative relationship existed between mechanical occupational selfconcept
and mechanical career interest among senior secondary school
students in Suleja educational zone of Niger State. Based on the findings
the researchers recommended among other that guidance counsellors
and teachers should help to improve students’ mechanical occupational
self-concept and mechanical career interest most especially those students
majoring in mechanical occupational environment by helping them see
how mechanical occupational self-concept is connected to mechanical
career interest during counselling and teaching.