FACTORS INFLUENCING SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THEIR CHOICE OF JOURNALISM AS A CAREER, A CASE STUDY OF OTA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Choosing a career is a significant decision facing the students of secondary schools in various disciplines around the world. “Students career choices may fulfill their needs, values, and interest and hence influence their quality of life” (Guay, Ratelle, Senecal, Larose & Deschenes, 2006, p.235). The motivations for chosen a particular profession as a career is determine by complex socio-economic and political factors. Several studies have confirmed that there are several factors that influenced the career decision of students: Mutekwe et al, 2011; Gambo et al, 2012; Kinanee, 2009; Mudhovozi & Chireshe, 2012; Lee et al, 2000; Lavonen et al, 2008; Onoyase & Onoyase, 2009; Onojigin, 2009; Emenyeonu, 1991; Okunna, 1992; Ashong & Batta, 2011. Some of these factors start developing at the early stage of family and school life, some at the level of interactions with the peer group and the larger society, while others develop at the stage of acquiring higher education and exposure to career information.
Mass Communication as an academic field of study in Nigerian higher institutions is designed to train professional manpower in different professions in the communication industry (NUC/BMAS, 2007. NBTE, 1989). The formal system of journalism and mass communication education training in Nigeria and other African nations has suffered serious neglect in the early beginning (Akinfeleye, 2008). This is because, “both colonial rulers in Africa and their succeeding ‘African Europeans’ regarded media education as an unnecessary undertaking” (Akinfeleye, 2008, p.98). That is why the pioneers of journalism and other communication professions are people from other disciplines that have develop interest in journalism practice, and they were mainly trained through on the job training. Ali (2005, p.105) noted that: “Journalism training in Nigeria is as old as journalism practice itself. When the ‘profession’ or practice was introduced into Nigeria, only a few practitioners, if any, had formal journalism education. The trend was that they entered into journalism with other qualifications and simply learnt the practice on the job from others who also learnt it from others who also learnt it under similar circumstances.”
The influence of career choice has a lasting impact on an individual. It serves to be a predictor and determinant of their prospective level of income, nature of work and consequently leaves a mark on the personality, demeanour and outlook of an individual. Thus one wrong decision can change the fate of an individual. It is difficult for everyone to make a decision regarding their career. This individual action is manifested on a larger scale in the economic prosperity of a nation. Individuals who are misfits in their workplace tend to be less productive and efficient, and therefore are unable to achieve their goals. The concept has been explained by Onyejiaku (as cited in Jones & Larke, 2005), who defines occupation as a means of living, which has the power to change personalities, determine social status, predict expected earnings, determine social groups etc. Thus its importance cannot be undermined. Given its complexity, it is then a point to ponder upon as to how career decisions are made. These are elucidated by Ipaye (as cited in Alemu, 2013), who elaborates the importance of dialogue with peers, sessions with college counsellors, and discussions with parents and teachers on career selection as “career convention” or “career conference”.
Most recently, the 2000 Annual Survey of Journalism and Mass Communication Graduates showed a significant correlation between time of decision and one’s occupational commitment.
