Investigating Factors Influencing Career Choice among Students in Girls’ Senior High School in the Kumasi Metropolis
Yvonne Abrafi Manu 
Issue: Vol.6 No. 9 2025 Article 8 pp.809 – 826
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.2025698 | Published online 26th September, 2025.
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This study addresses the complex challenge of career decision-making in the 21st century, exacerbated by technological advancement and heightened job competition. Focusing specifically on female students within the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana, the study aimed to identify the key factors influencing the career choice process among final-year students in girls’ Senior High Schools (SHS). Employing a mixed-methods paradigm, the research utilized simple random sampling to select 192 participants from three girls’ SHS. Quantitative data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The investigation revealed four primary factors significantly shaping career decisions: parental influence, student personality, school guidance facilities, and peer group pressure. Findings underscored that informed parental guidance, achieved through adequate career counselling for parents themselves, is crucial for enabling wise career advice to their children. Furthermore, personalized career guidance and counselling aligned with individual personality traits were found to be essential for empowering girls to make intelligent career choices. The accessibility and utilization of robust school-based career and vocational guidance services were also identified as critical for fostering informed decisions. The study concludes that effective career decision-making for female students necessitates multi-faceted support systems. Key recommendations include encouraging parents to actively discuss careers and express confidence in their daughters’ abilities. Educational authorities (Government, Ghana Education Service-GES, Schools) are urged to develop comprehensive programs that assist both parents and female youth in exploring diverse, including emerging and non-traditional, career paths. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions within the educational ecosystem to empower young women in navigating the complexities of career choice.
Keywords: Career choice, Parental, Personality, School guidance Facility, Peers
Ackumey, M A. “An Evaluation of the Guidance and Counselling Course of the Bachelor of Education Degree Programmes at the University of Cape Coast.” Unpublished M. Ed. Thesis, Faculty of Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, 1989.
Amedzor, B. “Career Guidance Needs of JSS 2 Pupils in Ho Township Basic Schools.” Winneba: The University of Education (Unpublished B. Ed. Long Essay), 2003.
Apambilla, Prince Awini, Gabriel Amponsah Adu, Rabbi Darko, Kingsley Eyram King-Kuadzi, Josephine Blay, Aaron Moses Eduah, and Garnet Linda Naa Adukwei Acquaye. “Exploring the Key Determinants of Career Choice among Senior High School Students in the Pru West District, Ghana.” International Journal of Social Science and Education Research 6, no. 2 (2024): 276–85.
Avugla, Daniel Kwasi Gameli. “Factors Influencing Career Choice among the Senior High School Students in the South Tongu District of Volta Region, Ghana.” Unpublished Thesis, University of Education, 2011.
Berg, Servaas Van der, Elizabeth Girdwood, Debra Shepherd, Chris Van Wyk, John Kruger, Janeli Viljoen, Olivia Ezeobi, and Poppie Ntaka. “The Impact of the Introduction of Grade R on Learning Outcomes.” University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, 2013.
Blau, Gary. “Testing the Effect of Level and Importance of Pay Referents on Pay Level Satisfaction.” Human Relations 47, no. 10 (1994): 1251–68.
Blau, Peter M., John W Gustad, Richard Jessor, Herbert S. Parnes, and Richard C Wilcock. “Occupational Choice: A Conceptual Framework.” ILR Review 9, no. 4 (1956): 531–43.
Blau, Peter M, John W Gustad, Richard Jessor, Herbert S Parnes, and Richard C Wilcock. “Occupational Choice: A Conceptual Framework.” ILR Review 9, no. 4 (1956): 531–43.
Buka, Andrea Mqondiso, and Jacob Maisha Molepo. “A Psycho-Pedagogic Approach for Inclusive Classes in Disadvantaged Rural Primary Schools in South Africa: Advancing Teaching Practices.” International Journal of Educational Sciences 12, no. 1 (2016): 38–44.
Buku, D., and A.I. Taylor. Basics of Guidance and Counseling. Winneba: Department of Psychology and Education, University of Education, Winneba, 2006.
Busacca, Louis A., and Mark C. Rehfuss. Postmodern Career Counseling: A Handbook of Culture, Context, and Cases. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.
Dillard, John M., and N. Jo Campbell. “Influences of Puerto Rican, Black, and Anglo Parents’ Career Behavior on Their Adolescent Children’s Career Development.” Vocational Guidance Quarterly, 1981.
Farmer, Helen S. “Model of Career and Achievement Motivation for Women and Men.” Journal of Counseling Psychology 32, no. 3 (1985): 363.
Fhloinn, Eabhnat Ní, and Olivia Fitzmaurice. “Any Advice? Lessons Learned by Mathematics Lecturers for Emergency Remote Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” In Takeaways from Teaching through a Pandemic, 8–14. Routledge, 2024.
Gall, M. D., J. P. Gall, and W. R. Ball. Educational Research: An Introduction. Boston : Pearson Education Inc., 2007.
Gibson, Robert L., and Marianne H. Mitchell. Introduction to Counseling and Guidance Textbook. Prentice Hall College Div , 1995.
Grimstad, Jane A., and Wendy L. Way. “The Role of the Family in the Vocational Development of Family and Consumer Education Teachers: Implications for Vocational Education.” Journal of Vocational Education Research 18, no. 4 (1993): 43–80.
Holland, John L. “A Theory of Vocational Choice.” Journal of Counseling Psychology 6, no. 1 (1959): 35.
Jegede, Olusegun Oladele. “Artificial Intelligence and English Language Learning: Exploring the Roles of AI-Driven Tools in Personalizing Learning and Providing Instant Feedback.” Universal Library of Languages and Literatures 1, no. 2 (2024).
Kafi, Lutvia Nurul, and Agwin Degaf. “Euphemism and Dysphemism Strategies in Donald Trump’s Speech at SOTU 2020.” International Journal of Humanity Studies 4, no. 2 (2021): 194–207.
Lent, Robert W, Steven D Brown, and Gail Hackett. “Toward a Unifying Social Cognitive Theory of Career and Academic Interest, Choice, and Performance.” Journal of Vocational Behavior 45, no. 1 (1994): 79–122.
Plano Clark, Vicki L., Catherine A. Huddleston-Casas, Susan L. Churchill, Denise O’Neil Green, and Amanda L. Garrett. “Mixed Methods Approaches in Family Science Research.” Journal of Family Issues 29, no. 11 (November 1, 2008): 1543–66. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X08318251.
Roe, Anne. “The Psychology of Occupations. New York: John Wiley& Sons.” Inc., RsinH, 1956.
Savickas, Mark L. “Reinvigorating the Study of Careers.” Journal of Vocational Behavior 61, no. 3 (December 2002): 381–85. https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.2002.1880.
Shulman, Lee S. “Those Who Understand: Knowledge Growth in Teaching.” Educational Researcher 15, no. 2 (1986): 4–14.
Shumba, Almon, and Matsidiso Naong. “Factors Influencing Students’ Career Choice and Aspirations in South Africa.” Journal of Social Sciences 33, no. 2 (2012): 169–78.
Super, Donald E. “The Natural History of a Study of Lives and of Vocations.” Perspectives on Education 2, no. 3 (1969): 13–22.
Tang, Mei, Wei Pan, and Mark D Newmeyer. “Factors Influencing High School Students’ Career Aspirations.” Professional School Counseling 11, no. 5 (2008): 2156759X0801100502.
Vernet, Nicolas, and Anne Coste. “Garden Cities of the 21st Century: A Sustainable Path to Suburban Reform.” Urban Planning 2, no. 4 (December 29, 2017): 181–96. https://doi.org/10.17645/up.v2i4.1104.
Wachira, Dorcas Wangari. “Relationship between Parental Variables and Career Choices among Students in Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Kinangop Sub-County; Nyandarua County, Kenya.” Nyandarua County, Kenya, 2018.
Yvonne Abrafi Manu is a dedicated educator and PhD candidate in Methodology and Technology of Professional Education, with 15 years of progressive experience. Yvonne’s research is informed by a multidisciplinary background, including a Master’s in Neuroscience Psychology, a MeD in Guidance and Counseling, and degrees in Basic Education(Bed & DIP). Yvonne Manu’s professional practice/ research interests focus on integrating counseling methodologies to foster the intellectual and social development of students.
Manu, Yvonne Abrafi. “Investigating Factors Influencing Career Choice among Students in Girls’ Senior High School in the Kumasi Metropolis.” Journal of Education and Learning Technology 6, no. 9 (2025): 809-826. https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.2025698.
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Featured