Decision-Making Difficulties of Senior High School Referred Graduates of Cape Coast Metropolis

Abstract

This research examined the career decision difficulties of Senior High School Referred Graduates (SHSRGs) in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Mixed methods with exploratory design was employed and the data were collected using questionnaire and interview guide. Stratified and random sampling techniques were adopted to select a total of three hundred and sixty (360) SHSRGs. Purposive, convenience and snowball sampling techniques were also used to select six (6) parents, three (3) remedial school teachers and one (1) director of Ghana Education Service (GES) for the study. The result indicated (189, 53.8%) of the referred graduates usually felt they needed confirmation and support for their decisions about their career choice from a professional or somebody they trust. It was also revealed that (263, 74.3%) had considered the field they would like to major or the field they would like to choose. Again, (59, 16.7%) of the referred graduates encountered difficulties in making career decisions because they did not know which occupations interest them whereas (89, 25.0%) indicated they found it difficult to make career decision because they were focusing on their referred papers. It was recommended that the SHSRGs should make career choices based on guidance and counselling received from experts in various institutions in the metropolis. They should resist imposition of careers by people and accept non-collegiate education through excursions and embrace work surveillance. This will sharpen their understanding about what industry expect from them and connect them to the realities of the world of work.

Keyword: Decision-making, Career selection, Decision dynamics, Career failure, Referred graduates, Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-22-13

Publication date: November 30^th 2020