FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER CHANGE AMONG TECHNICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS IN ADAMAWA STATE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study examined the factors influencing career change among technical college students in Adamawa State, Nigeria, with a focus on identifying socio-economic, institutional, and personal variables that contribute to the trend of shifting career interests within technical education. A descriptive survey design was adopted, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. The population consisted of 8,500 students across five technical colleges, from which a sample of 367 respondents was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire titled Career Change Factors in Technical Education Questionnaire (CCFTEQ) and semi-structured interviews with 30 students. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used to analyze quantitative data, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative responses. The findings revealed that poor career guidance services, limited workshop facilities, inadequate teacher qualifications, parental preference for white-collar professions, and weak institutional support significantly influence career change among students. The study concluded that these factors undermine students’ persistence in technical career paths. It recommended the enhancement of career counseling services, modernization of technical facilities, recruitment of qualified instructors, and parental sensitization campaigns to improve students retention in technical programs and promote sustainable technical skill development in Adamawa State.
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