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European Journal of Alternative Education Studies ISSN: 2501-5915 ISSN-L: 2501-5915 Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2017 doi: 10.5281/zenodo.1049001 THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS ON CAREER DECISION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN YAKURR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA Anake, P. M.,1 Adigeb, P. Ada,2 Bassey, Patrick Okon3 1,2 Department of Guidance and Counselling, University of Calabar, Nigeria Institute of Education, 3 University of Calabar, Nigeria Abstract: This study investigated the influence of personality traits on career decisions among secondary school students in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The research design adopted was the survey design. 200 students drawn from 10 public schools in the area of study, made up the sample of the study and this was done through stratified random sampling technique. The major instrument used for data collection was the personality traits and students’ career decisions questionnaire (PTSCDQ) and data generated were analyzed using the independent t-test analysis. The null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The result obtained indicated that personality traits of attitude and perception have a significant influence on career decision among secondary school students. Based on this among others, it was concluded that career decision among students are not only influenced by their parents and image figures but their attitude, perception and individual traits depending on how they think about such careers. It was therefore recommended that, professional counselors, parents/guardians, teachers and administrators alike should strive to create career awareness and give more attention to the personality trait of attitude and perception as displayed by students. Keywords: influence of personality traits, career decision, secondary school students, Yakurr local government Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved. © 2015 – 2017 Open Access Publishing Group 139 Anake, P. M. Adigeb, P. Ada, Bassey, Patrick Oko THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS ON CAREER DECISION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN YAKURR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA 1. Introduction Career decisions are made by students at different period of time in their learning process in school. Some of them begin to make their career choices during their secondary school education, for some occupational aspirations begin by the time they enter their final year, while others, their career aspiration and choice are quite fixed even before they enter school. Just as career decisions differ among students, so are their corresponding characteristics for such decisions peculiar to individual persons. The personality traits that are likely to influence these decisions include students’ perception of a career path, interest, self-concept, anxiety for a career, aptitude and ability. In addition to these traits are other factors intrinsic and extrinsic in the individual, which can also affect what career he or she may choose. Also, some professions have greater percentages in students’ admission process and others low, this also affect career decision making. Another external factor that influences students’ decision on career is the people or role models in his or her life and how he or she perceives these persons. These role models may include parents, siblings, teachers, counsellor or a current employer. In choosing a career, students may not have all the information necessary about the job they are pursing. On discovering the job involve more of mathematics or science, the student who is not well prepare and does not have the interest and skill for science can altered his decision and go in for a more convenient career. Therefore, as counsellors, appropriate information and tools that can help students in their decision are needed, these are, career fairs, job shadowing, or internship and field-trips. These expose students to different career fields and their hazards. Without these information and awareness, a lot of students go through college without knowing what career path they want and what is expected and involved in such career. Similarly, career decision has become more complex with the advent of information technology, the emergence of post industrial revolution and job competition. It was a common practice in the past to find feudalism converting one’s career into a family affair, where the son of a blacksmith was destined to become a blacksmith and a feudal was born a leader. Industrialization and post industrialization has made it possible for a common person to be richer as long as he or she has due skills and knowledge (Wattles, 2009). He also observes that, today, one has not only to make due career planning but also exhaustive career research before making a career choice or decision, so as to adjust with the evolving socio-economic conditions. Furthermore, it is imperative that most secondary school students do not have accurate information about occupational opportunities to help them make appropriate European Journal of Alternative Education Studies - Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2017 140 Anake, P. M. Adigeb, P. Ada, Bassey, Patrick Oko THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS ON CAREER DECISION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN YAKURR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA career decisions. Kerka (2000) stated that career decision is influenced by multiple factors including personality, interest, self-concept, cultural identity, globalization, socialization, role model, social support and available resources such as information and finance. In this view, McQuaid and Bond (2003) affirmed that student career decisions therefore have been found to be influenced by a number of factors inherent in the individual including ethnic background, year in school, level of achievement, choice of science subjects, attitudes and differences in job characteristics. Based on these, the researchers were motivated to investigate the influence of personality traits such as students’ perception of a career path, interest on a career, selfconcept, aptitude and attitude to career and how they affect the students’ decision on his or her career. For viewing / downloading the full article, please access the following link: https://oapub.org/edu/index.php/ejae/article/view/1186 European Journal of Alternative Education Studies - Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2017 141