RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOCUS OF CONTROL, PARENTS’ EDUCATION AND FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER CHOICE OF STUDENTS IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) GUSAU, ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the extent of relationship among Locus of Control, Parental Education and Career Choice of Students in F.C.E.T. Gusau, Zamfara State. The study used descriptive correlation design with a sample size of 239. Three set of questionnaires were used for data collection; these include adopted version of Rotter’s Locus of Control, Adapted version of Parental Educational Background Questionnaire and Adapted version of Students’ Career Choice Questionnaire. Reliability coefficients of the instruments were obtained in the following order: 0.85, 0.89 and 0.80. Spearman Correlation Coefficient and multiple regressions were used in testing the seven null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study found that Students’ Career choice is not significantly influenced by their Internal Locus of Control but rather influenced by external Locus of Control. Parent’s educational background is not a major predictor that influences Students’ career choice in F. C. E. (T.), Gusau. Based on the findings of this study it was recommended that the Federal College of Education Technical Gusau should as a matter of urgency create a counselling unit for effective and functional career guidance and counselling for students. Finally, emphasis on vocational guidance should be laid down on students’ personality, aptitude and interest.