Application of Vocational Development Theory in Rebranding Choice of Careers among Nigerian Secondary School Students

Abstract

This paper examined Application of theory of Anne Roe of vocational development in rebranding secondary school students’ choice of career in Nigerian education system. Being one of the first model to show the link between childhood events, it has received a lot of attention when it comes to showing psychological needs with career choices. The paper looked into the basics of the vocational development theory by discussing how individuals are integrated entities whose categorization should be based on both his conscious and unconscious need patterns. Relevant literatures reviewed point to the fact the theory’s applicability is very vital in helping individuals to choose careers and progress in them. The paper further conversed on how the theory classified parenting rearing practices into being protective and preventive, avoidant and/or accepting and how these are consequent upon career orientation. Moreover, the paper discourse also centered on how the main postulations of the theory could be applied to rebrand secondary school education in Nigeria for example by how the counselor should enable parent gain awareness on the implication of not meeting the psychological and physical needs of the child as they may end up lacking value; and also, how the counsellor should educate parents and clients in understanding why people have different interest to a particular occupation. Finally, the paper revealed that proper application of the vocational development theory would significantly influence students to developed self-concept, self-esteem, and interest to the world work. It therefore recommended that parents should guide the choice of career of their children rather than determine what it is to be and that there should be consultation between parent and the child with the counsellor in order to make meaningful choices in careers.