Investigating Factors Influencing Career Choice among Students in Girls’ Senior High School in the Kumasi Metropolis

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