ABSTRACTThis research investigated the career choice and employability of graduates of higher institutions in south east geopolitical zone of Nigeria which comprises of Abia state, Imo state, Enugu state, Ebonyi state and Anambra state. Five institutions were purposively considered (i.e. Abia State University, Chukwuma Odimegbu University, Federal University of Technology, …
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ABSTRACTThis research investigated the career choice and employability of graduates of higher institutions in south east geopolitical zone of Nigeria which comprises of Abia state, Imo state, Enugu state, Ebonyi state and Anambra state. Five institutions were purposively considered (i.e. Abia State University, Chukwuma Odimegbu University, Federal University of Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Ebonyi State University) and 20 departments were considered from each school. The total population of 8742 final year students was used and 800 samples were randomly selected from the total population of schools under study. In carrying out the research work, a self-structured questionnaire was used with 96 items. Opinions of experts in the field were sort for reliability purposes. The data collected were analyzed using pie chart to find the percentage grouping of the research response and factor analysis for the test of hypothesis. From the test hypothesis done on the data collected, it can be deduced that educational system curriculum, career choice and necessary skills have relationship with employability of graduates in south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The major findings from the research are that it will be advisable that career counseling should be introduced in all secondary school to enable early decision making towards career path, school curriculum should be reviewed to address the practical aspects of courses and give the students for self-employment after graduation, need for synergy between the school and labour to meet the needs of the society, etc. Base on these, recommendations were proffered to reduce the rate of unemployment in south-east by introducing entrepreneurship education in school curriculum, government intervention by building industries and carving out funds for self-employed graduates, etc.TABLE OF CONTENTSCover page iDeclaration iiCertification iiiDedication ivAcknowledgements vTable of Contents viList of Tables viiList of Figures ixAbstract xCHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION1.0 Background to the Study 11.2 Statement of the Problem 41.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study 51.4 Research Questions 51.5 Hypotheses 61.6 Significance of Study 61.7 Scope of Study 71.8 Operational Definition of Terms 7 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW2.1 Conceptual Review 82.1.1 Concept of Career Choice 82.1.1.1 Factors Affecting Career Choice 112.1.2 Concept of Employability 142.1.2.1 Employability Skills 162.1.2.2 Types of Employments 202.1.2.3 Historical Evolution of the Concept of Employability 212.1.3.4 Factors Affecting Employability 252.1.2.5 Impact of Career Choice on Employability 332.2 Theoretical Framework 372.2.1 Theories on Career Choice 372.2.2 Theories on Employability 382.3 Empirical Review 452.4 Summary of the Reviewed Literature 72CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY3.1 Research Design 743.2. Study Area 743.3. Population of the Study 743.4. Sample Size and Sampling Technique 753.5. Instrument for Data Collection 753.6 Validity of the Instrument 763.7 Reliability of Instrument 773.8 Administration of the Instrument 773.9 Method of Data Analysis 77 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS OF THE STUDY4.1 Analysis of data concerning research questions 784.1.1 Result of analysis of data concerning research question one 784.1.2 Result of analysis of data concerning research question two 904.1.3 Result of analysis of data concerning research question three 954.1.4 Result of analysis of data concerning research question four 1004.1.5 Result of analysis of data concerning research question five 1284.1.6 Result of analysis of data concerning research question six 1404.1.7 Result of analysis of data concerning research question seven 159 CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION5.1 Summary of Findings 1825.2 Conclusion 1875.3 Contribution to Scholarship 1885.4 Research Recommendations 1885.5 Research Limitations 1895.6 Suggestion for Further Study 189 REFERENCES 191 APPENDIX 202
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