SELF-CONCEPT, SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND GENDER AS PREDICTORS OF CAREER ASPIRATION AMONG PART-TIME STUDENTS IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (SPECIAL) OYO, OYO STATE

Abstract

Career aspiration of students is a variable that has been studied by various researchers. This study, which adopted an ex-post facto research design, investigated the effects of self-concept, socio-economic status and gender as predictor of career aspiration among Part-time students in Oyo state. Three hundred participants were chosen from part-time students in FCE(Sp), Oyo using stratified random sampling. Ages ranged between 21 and 40years, mean of 27.21 years (SD= 12.25). Three research questions were tested using multiple regression analysis and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. A structured questionnaire consisting of demographic section, and measures of self-concept, socio-economic status and gender on career aspiration were used to collect data. The findings revealed that there was significant positive relationships between self-concept(r = 0.540, p < 0.05); socio-economic status (r = 0.425, p < 0.05), gender (r = 0.212, p < 0.05) and career aspiration among the participants. The three variables jointly accounted for 52.5% variance in predicting career aspiration among the participants. The independent variables made positive relative contribution to career aspiration in the following order: self-concept ( = 0.410, t = 4.561; p < 0.05), socio-economic status ( = 0.201, t = 3.251; p < 0.05), gender ( = 0.128, t = 2.578; p < 0.05) had relative contribution to career aspiration. Based on these finding, it recommended that students should consult counsellors in their respective schools on making career plans. Parents and guardians should bridge communication gaps between them and their wards. This will help to enlighten their wards on career aspiration. Part-time students should be guided and taught how they can boost their career aspiration through adequate guidance and counselling.