THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

There are various factors affecting students in choosing their senior high school strand

such as parental influence, personality, interests and environment. These factors can directly

or indirectly affects career preferences of the participants.

Review Related Literature

Selecting a strand is a crucial act to every student in such way that they have to

considered their financial status, parents and peer suggestion, and also their self-choice in

acting on it (Tortor, Ohayas, Moneva 2020). Career choice of students is significant on the

profile of students’ in selecting a strand (Abarro, 2016). Leung (2008) advocates that

choosing a career field must involve decision making process.

Parental Influence:

Parents support has much to do in influencing the strand selection of students (Aguado,

et al., 2015). Parents have played a vital role in influencing their child what strand to be

choose in SHS (Hellen & Kitainge, 2016). Additionally, parents’ income does affect

academic achievement of students’ in selecting a strand (Dahie, et al., 2016). Because they

look up their parents in choosing their future career (Braza & Guillo 2015).

Family factor is significant in affecting students’ career choice (Mandarra & Murray,

200). Contrary, family factor is significant in affecting students’ career choice (Su, et.al.,

2016). In addition family income is significant predictor that boosts the dimensions of self-

esteem (lovability, likability, and self control) of students towards the strand they choose

(Mandara & Murray, 2000).

 Parents have played a vital role in influencing students’ career choice in selecting a

strand (Hellen & Kitainge, 2016). As a sign of respect for the parents and culture of the

Filipinos, parents or the elderly are being consulted first by their children because primarily

they will be the one to provide the financial support to enter in college (Laguador, 2013).

Children are still being asked by their parents where they wanted to pursue their college

degree but parents are considered the most influential person closest to their children to

decide and convince where to study because they are the ones who will pay the tuition fees

(Lee, 2005).

The role of parents in the lives of children is undeniable. Similarly, parents’ education

has been proven as a factor influencing career choice (Grissmer, 2003). Literature reports that

parents’ educational level is the most important factor in students’ career decision (Grissme,

2003). Family size, parents’ backgrounds, parent’s qualifications and parents’ level of income

is significant in affecting the academic performance and selection of strands (Abdu-Raheem,

2015).

Parents exert emotional pressure on their wards regarding the choice of careers

(Bladeless cited in Nyarko-Sampson 2013). Because family influence is essential factor on

choosing their career (Fouad et.al., 2016). Stable family socio-economic status well provides

comfort, positive attitude, and healthy environment for the students that will lead them in

attaining the high academic achievements (Saifi & Mehmood, 2011). Income, occupation

and level of educations of parents are directly associated to academic performance of students

(Kumar, 2016).

Another fact proven by research is that children prefer to discuss their plans and choices

with their mother more as compared to the fathers (Muthukrishna & Sokoya, 2008). Shumba

and Naong (2012) found out that the family is a significant factor in determining children’s
career choice, the ability of the learner self to identify his preferred career choice, and

teachers influence career choice of their learners. Similarly Leppel, Williams and Waldauer

(2001) revealed that parental education, family income, and family head’s occupational status

were found to be positively associated with offspring’s educational achievement. Rababah

(2016) family members and peers have an influence in the students’ choice of the major

including personal interests, gender, career opportunity and availability of jobs are some of

the factors that affect the students’ decision making in this matter.

Parental influence have significant effect on the career choice of their children (Kaneez

& Medha, 2018). Al-Rfou (2013) explored that the parents have a significant influence on the

major selection, siblings and friends also consider important source to select the major, while

teachers and media are the least amongst the selected factors.

Parents have influence on the choice of career of their children so also other factors

such as peer group, employer and relatives (Umar, 2014). Identically, Dagang and de Mesa

(2017) identified the results which point to the strong influence of parents on their children

choice of tertiary school. It is deeply rooted in the consciousness of the Filipino people the

respect for elders, hence the strong influence of parents on children decision. Ibrahim (2017)

revealed that family members have the highest contributions in influencing students to the

profession of medical laboratory science due to the fact that family is usually who provided

financial supports to them.

Parents and peers could also influence the students in choosing a career (McFadden,

2015). According to higher education consultant Noel Levitz, although kids tend to deny the

fact that their parents affect their decision, their parents’ opinion matter. Saysay (2011)

discussed that the family decides in what college course students should take is also

associated with the financial status of the family. Filipino children want to do well for the
sake of the family, follow parents’ advice about choosing a job or major in college and lastly,

make sacrifices for the family (Finlayson, 2009).

Most people are affected by career that their parent favors, others flows with the career

that their educational choice have opened for them, some choose to follow their passion

regardless of how much or little it will make them, while others choose the career that gives

see high income (Hewitt 2010). Children may choose what their parents desire simply to

please them (Taylor et.al., 2004). Okafor (2012) cited that generally, the choice of a career is

affected by parents, friends, and variation of one population to another.

Student at one point inherit from your parents certain financial and other resources that,

to some extent, influence your career choices (Bolles, 2011). Likewise, Monica and Kate

(2005) found influence of parental education and their personal career as strong motivators to

their children in career selection. Mortimer noted that the family background provides the

basis from which their career plans and decision making evolve. This may be due to

children’s natural desire to connect with their parents (Poulter, 2006).

Additional aspects of one’s family background can be influential in career decision

making (Sear & Gordon, 2002), . Similarly, authors have identified the inspirational impact

of parental education on their children career choice (Jones, 2001).

The key parental influencers to a student’s career choice include; the attitudes and

behavior the parents reward or punish, approve or disapprove of, the expectations parents

have for their children’s education and career, the examples they set for their children, the

values they show to their family, friends and to society, the opportunities they offer their

children to learn and develop themselves, and the kind of parent-child relationship they

develop (Keller, 2004). As Williams (2016) notes, if their parents’ jobs give them great

satisfaction or provide a comfortable lifestyle, children see the perks early on, and may favor
these careers over others. Whiston and Keller (2004) who observe that parents serve as a

major influence in their children’s career development and career decision- making. As

Williams (2016) notes, if their parents' jobs give them great satisfaction or provide a

comfortable lifestyle, children see the perks early on, and may favor these careers over

others.

Personality:

Personality plays an important role in the choosing of the right career (Splaver, 2000).

A student’s personality must be self motivated type, as to investigate career possibilities from

early on in their lives, and not the procrastinating type that waits till they are compelled to

decide. Moreover, career success of students’ can be best attained if the strand selected is

suited to the innate ability and intellect, and personality of students with the proper guidance

of school in choosing the right career in senior high and college (Pascual, 2014).

Students must take seriously the role grades play in limiting opportunities in the future.

Splaver went on to say “It is important for you to have a good understanding of yourself, your

personality, if you are to make intelligent career plans”. (Splaver 2000, p. 12). A crucial

influence in decision making regarding career is the home environment as it lays the

foundation of a child’s personality (James, 2000).

Factors such as personality can influence the choice of career among secondary school

students (Eremie and Okwulehie, 2018). According to Kerka (2000), student career choice is

influenced by the availability of personality, while for Bandura et al., (2001) an individual’s

career choice is influenced by their personal aptitudes and social contacts.

Personality factors and economics factors had no effect on career choice. Career choice

is affected by multiple factors include personality, interest, self concept, identity,

globalization, socialization, role model, social support and available resources such as

information and finance (Kerka 2000). However, students are known by a combination of

personal abilities, personality type and other factors (Okafor 2012). Hence, factors affecting

career choice can either by intrinsic or extrinsic or both. Splaver (2011) observes that

students never perceive their environment, personality, and opportunity in the same way and

this explains the different career choices they make.

Personality plays an important role in the choice of the right career. Students‟

personality must be a self-motivated type, as to investigate career possibilities from early on

in their lives, and not the procrastinating type that waits until they are compelled to decide.

Personality can also be affected by one's environment (Splaver, 2000). According to Sears

and Gordon (2002), for instance, if one is outgoing and assertive and works in an

environment where he is not permitted to express his personality, he may have to tone down

his vivaciousness, and consequently be unhappy at work because unable to be acting real.

Interests are a person’s likes and dislikes which is characterized by the Person’s intensity of

feelings about a subject or thing (Hooley, 2012).

Perceptions, preferences, beliefs, values, learning, memory, motives, personality,

emotions and attitudes are the various attributes of an individual (Raposo and Alves, 2007).

Previous studies on choosing an institution have also explored the influence of these personal

attributes Yamamoto( 2000) and found that ‘personal preference was the most influential

factor in university selection. Dawes and Brown (2002) detected that ‘before choosing

university, students went through three decision sets namely the students’ awareness set,

consideration set, and choice set.

The individual or personal factor is considered as the most difficult to control or to

predict in the decision making process (Harris, 2003). Factor of individual or person mostly
corresponds to psychological aspect of decision-maker (Hirschi et.al.2010). Personality is the

set of characteristics within an individual influencing his cognitions and behaviors in

different contexts (Onoyase, 2009).

Agreeableness is a personality trait that holds people to be accommodating and helping

them to resolve issues by creating win-win situation by their flexible attitude (Cattell and

Mead, 2008). Like agreeableness trait, this quality of personality also makes people more

social (Mount et al., 2005). On the other hand, people who rank low in this personality trait

are more optimistic, emotionally stable (Mount et al., 2005) and have more inner strength to

face the stressful situations more soundly (Roberts and Robins, 2000).

Personality trait holders always tend to accommodate and help others on the cost of

their personal resources (Cattell and Mead, 2008). The personality trait asserts individuals to

go beyond their self-interest and restrict them to become more selfish (Burch & Anderson,

2008). Conscientiousness is the personality traits that can help the individuals to excel in

these professions (Ackerman & Beier, 2003). A very high ranking on this personality trait

may enable these persons to be time bounded assignment fulfillment, planned and organized

in every transaction (Cattell and Mead, (2008).

A very high ranking on this personality trait may enable these persons to be time

bounded assignment fulfillment, planned and organized in every transaction (Cattell & Mead,

2008). Sensitivity is key to get things deduce for which others seem blind, and the

introversion is the personality trait that can help these people to have a multi angled look for

a single problem (Capretz, 2003). Personal interest is shaped by one’s family and

environment (Ferry, 2006), although family is also greatly influenced by the general public.

Some of the important factors that may contribute to the decision of career choices

include the following: efficient planning, attitude consistent selection, crystallization of the
properties, the personality of the person, socioeconomic status (SES), defective trust, self-

knowledge, self-efficacy, freedom of choice, career reputation, interests, gender and

personality type (Afidatul Lasma, 2015). Career process is considered as a learned skill and

problem-solving activity (Zunker, 2006).

There are many individual features that influence the way we make our decisions,

including our personal interests, personality traits and identity (Germeijs et al., 2012).

According to Edwards and Quinter (2011) that the personal interests of students constitute the

most important factor that influences career choice. Another study that establishes the

influence of personality on career choice is of Dr. Claudia Harzer and companions of

University of Zurich (Harzer, et.al, 2012), which focuses on the character strengths of an

individual and how it affects their career. Propositions have been made about different kind

of personality traits having relevance with nature of job requirements (Hussain, Abbas,

Shahzad & Bukhari, 2011).

Interests:

Interest in subject has strong and positive relationship while ease in grades, financial

outcomes, and future job opportunities had minor impact on students’ decision for particular

field and subject (Ahmed, Sharif & Ahmad 2015). Malgwi, Howe and Burnaby (2005)

revealed that the most influential factor overall was interest in the subject followed by the

potential for career advancement and the major’s potential job opportunities.

Great number of students indicated their interest for prestigious career like Medicine,

Law and Engineering instead of those that match their personality type (Onayase, 2009). It is

important for the institution to identify the willingness of the students to pursue the program

where interest can be used as good indicator of career choice (Hirschi & Läge, 2008), so that
if problems might occur in their academic performance related to negative attitude, the result

of this study might be useful to explain the situation

Having background knowledge about the career is essential in building an interest

towards the career (Nyamwange, 2016). Suutari (2003) reports that several studies have

indicated a positive relationship between interests and career choice. Interests are a person’s

likes and dislikes which is characterized by the person’s intensity of feelings about a subject

or thing. Interests are learned from parents, in schools, from friends, and from lifelong

experiences Hooley (2012).

Interest has become the most important determinant factor and measures of occupational

choice (Hewit, 2010). According to Sears and Gordon (2002), interest inventories have been

developed to help identify interests and relate them to career and occupation. According to

Najmuddin (2005), the main reason behind the problem of students’ career choice is that

students lose their right to choose a subject of interest when, after finishing high school, they

tend to grab whatever courses suit their education at the university level.

In addition, people with strong interests in a specific field turn out to be successful

professionals (Ilgen et.al., 2003). A few studies bolster the contention that there is a solid

relationship between individual interests and career determination (Suutari, 2003). Kroth and

Boverie (2009) maintained that individual’s skills, abilities and learning rates also contribute

to the development of interests regarding careers choices (Saleem et al., 2014).

The personal interests of students constitute the most important factor that influences

career choice (Edwards & Quinter). Afidatul Asma (2015) itemized the interests which are

most likely to contribute to academic success, such as the choice of the subject field. Bubic

(2014) concluded that students’ choices were often determined by their intrinsic interests in a

certain field of study.

 From his side, Kechukwu (2016) defined planning career path can as continuous

process of thinking and identification of interests. For Watts (2006), selecting an appropriate

career path includes making an honest self-evaluation of people talents, abilities and interests.

Studies on senior high school students’ occupational aspirations found out that interest

variables contributory to the occupational aspirations of senior high school students (Witko,

Bernes, Magnusson & Bardick, 2006). Malgwi, Howe and Burnaby (2005) revealed that the

most influential factor overall was interest in the subject followed by the potential for career

advancement and the major’s potential job opportunities.

It was found that students who receive help in exploring careers and planning programs

of study related to their career interest are more likely to see school as meaningful (Paal,

2003). As indicated by Reddy and Rajaram (2015), most children nowadays decide by

themselves which career to choose and which school to study in. According to Najmuddin

(2005), the main reason behind the problem of students’ career choice is that students lose

their right to choose a subject of interest when, after finishing high school, they tend to grab

whatever courses suit their education at the university level.

Interests which are most likely to contribute to academic success, such as the choice of

the subject field (Afidatul Asma, 2015). There are many individual features that influence the

way we make our decisions, including our personal interests, personality traits and identity

(Germeijs et.al., 2012). According to Edwards and Quinter (2011) the personal interests of

students constitute the most important factor that influences career choice.

Environment:

A crucial influence in decision making regarding career is the home environment

(James, 2000) as it lays the foundation of a child’s personality. Herbart (2005) opines that a
child coming from an environment where he/she receives parental support and lives

harmoniously is more likely to be dictated by them.

Making a sound career decision requires the collection of adequate information about

ourselves and the career environment (Sears & Gordon, 200). Stable family socio-economic

status will provide comfort, positive attitude, and healthy environment for the students that

will lead them in attaining the high academic achievements (Saifi & Mehmod, 2011).

Mikacic (2015) explained that once we have carefully considered the information about

ourselves, career and environment, we need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages

There is needs for students to beware of environmental factors that could interfere with

the career choices (Eremie & Chiamaka, 2019). Economy and labor market are examples to

external factors, in this way, career choices are frequently constrained by sociocultural

elements (Swanson & Gore, 2000). Such diverse , dynamic and unpredictable environments

make the process of decision making increasingly complex (Jabeen & Diffuiden, 2020).

Learning environment is an important base for learning processes of students and for

preferences of future work places. It is considered as an essential factor in determining the

success of an effective curriculum and the students’ academic achievements (Shrestha,

Mehta, Mandal, Chaudhary & Pradhan, 2019).

School environmental factors include school structure, school composition and school

climate (Korir & Kipkemboi, 2014). In addition, school environmental factors may also

include safety and order, teacher relationships and collaboration, academic expectations,

leadership and teachers’ professional development factors, variation of school environment is

brought to view By Mege (2014) who conducted a study in Kenya. Nyoni, Nyoni and Bonga

(2017) established that School environment promote students’ commitment toward learning
as proper school environment makes the students psychologically comfortable and enhances

students’ motivation in school related activities, making learning efficient and interesting.

Exploring learning environmental factors that affect student cognitive engagement has

it that, relationships exists between students’ commitment towards learning and school

environmental factors (Lee, 2014). A study by UNESCO (2016) in Benin, Congo and Ghana

revealed that the availability of electricity and sanitation facilities improves the learning

environment and students ‘health, boosting school attendance and facilitating school

activities and in that way improves students’ commitment toward learning.

School environmental factors are extremely important as they affect the way students

learn (Mustapha, 2014). In Malysia, a study by Usaini, Abubakar and Bichi (2015) revealed

that, school environment has a broad influence on the students learning and growth including

social, emotional and ethical development. The Ministry of Education, Guyana (2016) also

pointed out that, creating a positive learning environment is essential for success in the school

and classroom.

The study done by Oden (2019) in Nigeria indicated that the extent to which learning

could be committed depends on their location within the school compound, the structure of

their classroom, availability of instructional facilities and other related resources. Juan and

Visser (2017) who conducted their study in South Africa also revealed the existing strong

relationship between the school environmental factors and the whole process of teaching and

learning.

In Tanzania, a research carried by Haki Elimu (2013) revealed that students’ academic

performance and commitment towards learning at various levels of education has been

attributed by schools’ environmental factors such as adequacy of teaching and learning

materials like books and laboratories. Also a study done at Wanging’ombe district in
Tanzania by Ulugumu (2016) revealed that, school environmental factors may influence or

affect the students’ academic achievement and commitment toward learning.

School environmental factors have been demonstrated to have significant impact in the

whole process of teaching and learning, playing an important role in the cognitive, affective

and social domains of students because these factors have direct and indirect impact such as

creating positive impacts on students toward learning (Ulugumu, 2016).

Conceptual Framework

Theoretical studies such as the model of parental involvement process have describe the

link between parental theory of intelligence and parental involvement. Parents who hold on

an incremental theory of intelligence most likely emphasize the role of effort motivate

children to accept short comings, encourage them to think about the mechanism underlying

questions and more involved in education.

Another, is Social Cognitive Theory, developed by Robert W. Lent, Steven D. Brown,

and Gail Hackett in 1994, posits conditions that increase the probability that people will be

able to pursue their interests as well as conditions where interests may need to be

compromised in making career-related issues.

While, John Holland’s Theory of Career Choice (RIASEC, 1954) maintains, that in

choosing a career, people prefer jobs where they can be around others who are like them.

They search for environments that will let them use their skill and abilities, and express their
attitudes and values while talking an enjoyable problems and roles. Behavior is determined

by an interaction between personality and environment.

Lastly, Holland found that people needing help with career decisions can be supported

by understanding their resemblance to the following six ideal vocational personality types:

Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional work setting can also

be categorized by their resemblance to the six similar mode work environment.

Research Paradigm

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Factors affecting students in

choosing their Senior High
School strand
Senior High School strand
- Parental Influence
- Personality
- Interests
- Environment

Figure 1. A researcher paradigm showing the relationship between the independent variable

and dependent variable.