Kuria Male Adolescents and Career Choice Experiences: The Role of Careers Knowledge and Significant Others

Hezron Z. Onditi

Abstract


Given their historical attachment to a career in the armed forces, this study sought to uncover knowledge of young Tanzanian Kuria males on identifying careers, sources of career information and the influence of significant others on their choice of career. A total of 258 male students (from Tarime district) responded to a questionnaire and focus group discussions. It was revealed that young Kuria males have a good knowledge of the different careers available in the world of work, and their attachment to a career in the army has little to do with career illiteracy. To young Kuria males, parents and relatives appear to have a strong direct and indirect influence on their favouring a career in the armed forces.

 

Key words: career, career choice, and significant others


Full Text:

PDF

References


Ajzen, I. (1988). Attitudes, personality, and behaviour. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behaviour: Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision processes, 50, 179-211.

Arnold, J., Loan-Clarke, J., Coombs, C., Wilkinson, A., Park, J., & Preston, D. (2005). How well can the theory of planned behaviour account for occupational Intentions? Journal of Vocational Behaviour, 69 (3), 374-390.

Biswalo, M. P. (1996). An introduction to guidance and counselling: In diverse African contexts. Dar es Salaam: Dar es Salaam University Press.

Borchert, M. (2002). Career choice factors of high school students. (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Wisconsin-Stout, USA.

Brinkley, T., &Joshi, K. D. (2005). Women in information technology: Examining the role of attitudes, social norms, and behavioural control in information technology career choices. The McNair Journal, 3, 24-40.

Brock-Utne, B., Desai, Z., & Martha, Q. (2005). LOITASA research on progress: Language of instruction in Tanzania and South Africa. Dar es Salaam: KAD Association.

Cobb, N. J. (2001). Adolescence (4th ed.): Continuity, change, and diversity. London: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Cohen, L., Manion L., & Morrison, K. (2000). Research methods in education (5th ed.). London: Routledge-Falmer.

Fateh, A. A. (1992). A study into the influence of parents and teachers on Nigeria Adolescents career choice (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Jos. Retrieved on November 13, 2007, from DATAD database.

Feldman, S. R. (1999). Understanding psychology (5th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.

Fleisher, M. L. (2002) ‘War is good for thieving!’ The symbiosis of crime and warfare among the Kuria of Tanzania. Africa: Journal of the international African Institute, 72 (1), 131-149.

Fleisher, M. L. (2000). Kuria cattle raiders: Violence and vigilantism on the Tanzania/Kenya Frontier. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

Flick, U. (2009). An introduction to qualitative research. London: Sage Publications, Inc.

Fouad, N. A. (2007). Work and Vocational psychology: Theory, research, and application. Arjournals. Annual review of Psychology, 58, 543-564.

Gemmell. I. M. M. (2002). Injuries among female army recruits: A conflict of legislation. Journal of Royal Society of Medicine, 95(1), 23-27.

Ginzberg, E., Ginsburg, W.S., Axelrad, S., & Herma, J. (1951). Occupational choice: An approach to a general theory. New York: Columbia University Press.

Guay, F., Senecal, C., Gauthier, L., & Fernet, C. (2003). Predicting career indecisions: A self–determination theory perspective. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 50 (2), 165-177.

Hill, L., & Nathan, R. (2006). Career counselling (2nd ed.). London: Sage Publications.

Kariuki, K. (2008, April 6). An easy-to-read guide on careers. Sunday Nation, p. 12.

Kidd, J. M. (2006). Understanding career counselling: Theory, research and practice. London: Sage Publications.

Kimbrell, G., & Vineyard, B. (1992). Succeeding in the world of work (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Kingazi, L. (2006). Enhancing human resource capability in Tanzania Peoples Defence Force (Unpublished master’s thesis). Naval Postgraduate School, Montery, California. Kolvereid, L., &Isaksen, E. (2005). New Business start-up and Subsequent entry into Self-employment. Journal of Business Venturing, 21(6), 866-885.

Koul, L. (1997). Methodology of educational research (3rd ed.). New-Delhi: Vikas.

Lugoe, W. L. (1996). Prediction of Tanzanian students’ HIV risk and preventive behaviours (Unpublished PhD thesis). University of Bergen, Norway.

Lupogo, H. (2001). Civil-military relations and political stability. African Security Review 10(1).

Mahende, G. A. (2012). The contribution of stereotypes to inter-clan conflicts among the Kuria ethnic group in Tanzania. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(10), 164-173.

Molekane. E. (1996). The role of women in the South African Defence Forces (SANDF). African Security Review 5(5).

Moore, D.J. (2006). Women in construction management: Creating a theory of career choice and development (Unpublished PhD Thesis). Colorado State University, USA.

Mugonzibwa, E.A., Kikwilu, E.N., Rugarabamu, P.N., & Ntabaye, M.K. (2000). Factors influencing career choice among high school students in Tanzania. American Journal of Dental Education, 64(6), 423-429.

Ndambuki, P. W., & Mutie, E. K. (1999). Guidance and counselling in schools and colleges. Nairobi: Oxford University Press.

Nnochirianye, S. O. (1985). An investigation into the impact of traditional factors on the career choice process among secondary school students in Imo State (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Jos. Abstract retrieved on November 11, 2007, from DATAD database.

Onditi, H, Z. (2012). Young Kuria of Tanzania: What drives them to choose army careers? Journal of Education, Humanities, and Sciences, 1 (1), 57-68.

Pallant, J. (2005). SPSS Survival Manual (2nd ed.): A step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS for windows. New York: Open University Press.

Santrock, J. W. (2005). Adolescence (10th ed.). Boston: Mc-Graw Hill. Sharf, R. S. (1992). Applying career development theory to counselling. California: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Schwandt, T. A. (2007). The sage dictionary of qualitative inquiry (3rd ed). Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc.

Taylor, J., Harris, M.B., & Taylor, S. (2004). Parents have their say … About their college-Age children’s career Decisions. Bethlehem: Winter journal, Retrieved on June 29, 2007, from

http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/documents/parentssay%5B1%5D.pdf.

Tsado, B. N. (1985). Socio-economic Influences on Career Aspirations of Secondary School Students (Unpublished master’s dissertation). University of Jos. Abstract retrieved on November 11, 2007, from DATAD database.

Tobbisson, E. (1986). Family dynamics among the Kuria: Agro-pastoral in Northern Tanzania (Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation). Acta Universitatis Gothoburgensis. United Republic of Tanzania, (1995): Education and Training Policy. Ministry of Education and Culture.

Van Hooft, E.A.J., Born, M., Taris, T.W., &Flier, H.V. (2006). Ethnic and gender differences in applicants’ decision making process: An application of the TRA. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 14 (2), 156-166.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.