Career aspirations of tribal secondary school students in Central India explored using demographic analysis and Holland RIASEC theory

This study examined vocational interests of 165 tribal secondary school students in Chhattisgarh, India, using Holland’s RIASEC model. A cross-sectional design with multi-stage cluster random sampling was employed, and a structured questionnaire assessed career preferences across six domains: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Results indicated significant differences by gender and family type. Females favoured Artistic, Enterprising, and Realistic careers, whereas males preferred Social, Realistic, and Enterprising domains. Students from joint families showed stronger Enterprising and Conventional tendencies, while nuclear-family students leaned toward Realistic and Investigative interests. The hexagonal structure of RIASEC was largely supported, confirming cross-cultural applicability. Findings highlight the influence of demographic factors on vocational preferences and underscore the need for culturally responsive career guidance in tribal education. Implications for policy, curriculum development, and SDG-4-aligned interventions are discussed, providing actionable insights for enhancing equity and engagement in marginalized communities.