Browsing by Author "KIPNGENO, EVANCE LIMO"

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    FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER CHOICE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KERICHO COUNTY, KENYA
    (Gretsa University, 2025-10) KIPNGENO, EVANCE LIMO
    Choosing a career remains one of the most challenging decisions for secondary school students, as it significantly influences their future livelihood, identity, and success. In Kenya, despite government initiatives such as career guidebooks and counseling programs, many students continue to make ill-informed choices, often leading to dissatisfaction, mismatched skills, and unemployment. The problem arises from limited guidance, parental pressure, peer influence, and inadequate teacher involvement in career mentoring. l students in Kericho County, focusing on family background, peer influence, and teachers’ guidance. The research targeting 300 students, 90 teachers, and 150 parents, selected through random sampling. Questionnaires and interviews were used descriptive statistics, percentages, and charts. family influence played the most significant role in shaping students’ career decisions, as parents often provided guidance and acted as role models. Peer influence was found to be the least significant factor, proportion of students admitting that they considered their friends’ choices. Teacher influence had a moderate impact, mainly through advice and mentorship, though the absence of updated career guidebooks limited their effectiveness. The study concludes that career choice is a multifaceted process shaped by parental advice, teacher guidance, and, to a lesser extent, peer pressure. The study recommends strengthening career counseling programs in schools, updating career handbooks, and engaging parents through sensitization forums to reduce undue pressure on students. Further, teachers should be trained and supported to provide effective career guidance. The findings are significant to policymakers, educators, parents, and students in promoting informed career decision-making and reducing mismatches in the labor market