Issues and challenges influencing career choice among Senior High School students in Ghana: The case of the New Juaben Municipality

Issues and challenges influencing career choice among Senior High School students in Ghana: The case of the New Juaben Municipality

John Richmond Sekyi, Wendy Setlalentoa & Gregory Alexander

Issue: Vol. 7 No.3 2026 Article 15 pp.848 – 862
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20267315| Published online 23rd April 2026

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ABSTRACT

The study examined the influence of career information and its determinants on career choice among senior high school (SHS) students in the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region, Ghana. The paper addresses the issue that most learners are not adequately exposed to career-related information, which affects their career choices and could, in turn, help address the life and socio-economic problems affecting Ghana. The study is framed within Bandura’s Social Cognitive Career Theory, which posits that environmental, gender, and family background factors influence career choices. The study employs a qualitative research approach and involves 10 participants selected through purposive and convenience sampling from senior high schools in the New Juaben Municipality. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted to gather data, focusing on two main questions, namely: What challenges do students face in career choice? How can the process of career choice be improved, and how can it be done among senior secondary school students? The data was analysed using a thematic approach. The study revealed that parents were the most influential determinants of students’ career choices. Furthermore, the results revealed that students lacked career-related knowledge, hindering informed decision-making. Based on the findings, the study suggests increased student access to career guidance and counselling to support informed career choices, promote personal sustainability, and contribute to Ghana’s development drive and global engagement.

Keywords: Career Counselling, Vocational Guidance, Social Cognitive Career Theory, The Systems Theory Framework of Career Development, Socio-Cultural Theory of Career Choice

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ABOUT AUTHOR(S)

John Richmond Sekyi is a doctoral graduate from the Central University of Technology, South Africa. Dr Sekyi is a practising counsellor and a lecturer at Kibi College of Education in Ghana. He holds an MPhil in Education from the University of Education, Winneba. He is also part-time lecturer at Valley View University, University of Cape Coast, and Jackson College of Education, Ghana.

Wendy Setlalentoa is the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the Central University of Technology (CUT), South Africa and a Professor in Science Education. She holds a PhD in Education from CUT and has extensive experience in teaching, supervision, and research in science education, curriculum studies, educational leadership, and school management. Her professional development includes a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Development from Stellenbosch University, the Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM) Fellowship Programme, and qualifications in project and financial management from Regenesys. She is a HERS-SA Academy alumna, a registered Assessor and Moderator, a Skills Development Facilitator (ETDP SETA), and a former Head of Department for Mathematics. She has served as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement and is currently serving as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at CUT. She is also a fellow of the Next Generation Women in Leadership Programme (nGenWiL).

Gregory Alexander is currently a professor in Educational Psychology at the Faculty of Humanities, Central University of Technology, South Africa. He also teaches research and supervises students at the postgraduate level. Gregory’s research interests are in the areas of critical multicultural education, inclusive education, service learning and social justice education.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Sekyi, John Richmond; Wendy Setlalentoa; Gregory Alexander. “Issues and challenges influencing career choice among Senior High School students in Ghana: The case of the New Juaben Municipality.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.3 (2026): 848 -862. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20267315