Career Choice: Social Studies to Be or Not to Be Among Candidates of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

The paper took a look at the contributory factors to the dwindling enrolment of Akwa Ibom State candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) into the social studies education programme of the University of Uyo, Uyo. The sample of the study was one thousand and sixty-six respondents selected from thirteen preparatory study centres in Uyo Local Government Area. The researchers used Hat and Draw method to carry out the selection. Any candidate who picked ‘Yes’ from a small container was drawn and ‘No’ was rejected. The questionnaire/checklist entitled “Career Choice Questionnaire (CCU)” had parts A and B, with four and ten test statements respectively. The data were coded and simple percentage was used for analysis. The study revealed that interest, parental influence, peer influence, job expectation, admission requirement, role model, status of parent, coping, inspiration and motivation are contributory factors to the dwindling enrolment of candidates into the social studies education programme. Recommendations were made based on the findings of this study.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p417