The Career Orientation Impact in the Livelihood of Rural High School Learners: A Case of Selected High Schools Waterberg District, South Africa
Year 2024,
, 193 - 203, 30.07.2024
Charlıe Pokedı Sethole
,
Elias Tsakane Ngobeni
Percy Sepeng
Abstract
This study analyses how career orientations can help rural high school learners to become more self-directed and flexible in developing their careers in today's dynamic world of work. Career counsellors are needed in schools to guide the way learners subjectively make sense of their self-perceived talents and abilities. The study used a qualitative approach to obtain information about how career orientation can change the lives of rural high school learners. The purposive sampling technique was used to choose rich information from rural high school learners and teachers, councillors, and the surrounding employers/educational institutions in Waterberg District. Data analysis was done through inductive thematic data analysis where themes and categories emanated. The outcome of the study considered the fundamental aspects to develop career paths, career orientation programs, changing the mind set and the impact of career orientation in rural high schools. The product of the study will be shared with all four schools, nearby employers, and the Department of Education, Waterberg District in Limpopo province. The outcomes of the study might help in dealing with persistent educational obstacles like broader educational equity and public funding for developmental career orientation programs that face many youth and adults in rural communities. It is recommended that policy developers establish career orientation models that would benefit the livelihood of rural high schools.
References
- Akcam, B.K., Guney, S. & Cresswell, A.M., (2019). Research design and major issues in developing dynamic theories by secondary analysis of qualitative data. Systems, 7(3), 40.
- Ali, S.R.& Menke, K.A. (2014). Rural Latino youth career development: An application of social cognitive career theory. Career Development Quarterly, 62, 175-186.
- Barker, N. & Harris, L. (2019). Full-time professors versus part-time professors: Whose students get better grades in computer literacy courses? A case study In 2019 International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence (CSCI) ( 876-879). IEEE.
- Baruch, Y. (2014). The development and validation of a measure for protean career orientation, The International Journal of Human Resource Management,25(19), 2702-2723.
- Baruch, Y., N. Szűcs, & Gunz, H. (2015). Career studies in search of theory: The rise of concepts. Career Development International 20, 3-20.
- Bayat, A, Louw, W & Rena, R. (2014). The impact of socio-economic factors on the performance of selected high school learners in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Journal of Human Ecology,45(3), 183-196.
- Bazeley, P., (2013). Qualitative data analysis: Practical strategies. Sage, 47
- Belfiore, F., Westfall, K.B., Schaefer, A., Cappellari, M., Ji, X., Bershady, M.A., Tremonti, C., ...Shetty, S. (2019). The data analysis Pipeline for the SDSS-IV MaNGAIFU galaxy survey: Emission-line modeling. The Astronomical Journal, 158(4), 160.
- Bjerede, M. (2018). Rural districts face challenges and opportunities with technology access. Technology solutions that drive education, EdTech Magazine: Pretoria.
- Chen, Y., & Chang, C. (2018). The impact of an integrated robotics: STEM course with a sailboat topic on high school students’ perceptions of integrative STEM, Interest, and Career Orientation. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education,14(12), em1614.
- Culbertson, M.J. & Billig, S.H. (2016). Decision points and considerations for identifying rural districts that have closed student achievement gaps. Regional Educatioal Laboratory Central.
- Curry, S.D. (2020). Interpretivism and norms, Philosophical Studies, 177(4), 905-930.
- Dabula, P. & Makura, A.H. (2013). High school students perceptions of career and development programmes for university access. International Journal of Education Science, 5(2), 89-97.
- Deieso, D. & Fraser, B.J. (2019). Learning environment, attitudes and anxiety across the transition from primary to secondary school mathematics. Learning Environments Research, 22(1), 133-152.
- DeFeo, D.J. & Tran, T.C. (2019). Recruiting, hiring, and training alaska's rural teachers: How superintendents practice place-conscious leadership. Journal of Research in Rural Education 35(2), 5-7
- Di Giulio A., & Defila, R. (2017). Enabling university educators to equip students with inter-and transdisciplinary competencies. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 18(5), 630-647
- Du Plessis, P. & Mestry, R. (2019). Teachers for rural schools–a challenge for South Africa. South African Journal of Education,39.
- Dodge, E, A, & Welderufael, M. (2014). "Factors that influence career choice in South African township high school student”. Graduate Master’s Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects. 7-13.
- Fatoki, O. (2014). The determinants of the career choice of international students in South Africa. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(23), 668.
- Finnerty, V. (2013). Can participation in a school science fair improve middle school students’ attitudes toward science and interest in science careers? Doctoral dissertation, University of Massachusetts Lowell.
- Hughes, D., Meijers, F. & Kuijpers, M. (2015). Testing times: Careers market policies and practices in England and the Netherlands. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling 43(2), 183-201.
- Kass, E.& Miller E.C. (2018). Career choice among academically excellent students: Choosing teaching career as a corrective experience. Teaching and Teacher Education. 73, 90-98.
- Kaya D., Kutluca, T., & Dağhan, G. (2023). Transforming education with augmented reality, metaverse and virtual reality technologies in the 21st century. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 38(4), 470 - 497. https://doi.org/10.16986/HUJE.2023.503
- Larson, N., Davey, C., Hoffman, P., Kubik, M.Y. & Nanney, M.S. (2016). District wellness policies and school-level practices in Minnesota, USA. Public Health Nutrition, 19(1), 26-35.
- Lohmann, M. J., White, B. & Johnson, K. A. (2019). ‘Increasing the rural special education teacher pipeline through asynchronous online instruction: A program description of the colorado christian university alternative certification program, Rural Special Education Quarterly, 38(3), 151-161.
- Lupton, D. & Maslen, S. (2019). How women use digital technologies for health: Qualitative interview and focus group study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(1), 11481.
- Lusse, M., Notten, T. & Engbersen, G. (2019). School-family partnership procedures in urban secondary education, Part A: Strengths and Limitations. School Community Journal, 29(1), 201-226.
- Mabaso, B.A. (2017). Twenty-first century skills development in rural school learners. Master's thesis, University of Cape Town.
- Miles, J. (2019). ‘The impact of a career intervention programme on South African Grade 11 learners’ career decision-making self-efficacy’, South African Journal of Psychology, 47(2), 209-221.
- Neale-McFall, C.W. & Owens, E.W. (2016). A comparison of rural and urban secondary school career guidance services. Pennsylvania West Chester University of Pennsylvania, 2. p5.
- O’Leary, Z. (2014). Primary data: Surveys, interviews and observation. The essential guide to doing your research project, 201-216.
- Patton, K., Parker, M. & Tannehill, D. (2015). Helping teachers help themselves: Professional development that makes a difference. NASSP Bulletin, 99(1), 26-42.
- Rincón-Gallardo, S. & Fullan. M. (2016). Essential features of effective networks in education. Journal of Professional Capital and Community, 1(1), 5-22.
- Rosen, D. (2014). eLearning Future. What will elearning look like in 2075? eLearning Industry.
- Rudestam, K. & Newton, R.R. (2015). Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process. Thousand Oaks, California, Sage.
- Sanjek, R. (2019). A vocabulary for field notes. Cornell University Press, 92-136.
- Sati V.P. & Song, X. (2018). Mizoram University. Urbanization and its impact on rural Livelihoods. Sichuan Province, China.
- Schaeffer, N.C. (2021). Interaction before and during the survey interview: Insights from conversation analysis. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 24(2), 181-202.
- Steyn, M, G, & Kamper, G. D. (2015). The career orientation of final year teacher training students, Journal of Social Sciences, 43(3), 263- 275.
- Susanti, T., Damris, D., Maison, M. & Tanti, T. (2020). Learning environment and motivation in junior high school. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(5), 2047-2056.
- Swisher R, R & Dennison C, R. (2016). Educational pathways and change in crime between adolescence and early adulthood. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 53(6),840-871.
- Tawafak, R.M., Romli, A.B. & Arshah, R.B.A. (2019). E-learning model for students’ satisfaction in higher education universities. In 2019 International Conference on Fourth Industrial Revolution (ICFIR) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
- Tschopp, C., Unger, D. & Grote, G. (2015). Are support and social comparison compatible? Individual differences in the multiplexity of career‐related social networks. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 46(1), 7-18.
- Van der Heever, H., Chauke, T.M. & Hoque, M.E. (2015). Alcohol use amongst learners in rural high school in South Africa. African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 7(1), 1-6.
- Weda, Z., & de Villiers, R. (2019). Migrant Zimbabwean teachers in South Africa: Challenging and Rewarding Issues. Int. Migration and Integration, 20, 1013-1028.
- Wiernik, B.M. & Kostal, J.W. (2019). Protean and boundaryless career orientations: A critical review and meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 66(3), 280-307.
- Zuma, K.P., Mason, R.B. & Maharaj, M. (2019). Awareness of the Space Industry as a career opportunity in South Africa. International Journal of Socio Technology and Knowledge Development, 11(1), 29-51.
The Career Orientation Impact in the Livelihood of Rural High School Learners: A Case of Selected High Schools Waterberg District, South Africa
Year 2024,
, 193 - 203, 30.07.2024
Charlıe Pokedı Sethole
,
Elias Tsakane Ngobeni
Percy Sepeng
Abstract
This study analyses how career orientations can help rural high school learners to become more self-directed and flexible in developing their careers in today's dynamic world of work. Career counsellors are needed in schools to guide the way learners subjectively make sense of their self-perceived talents and abilities. The study used a qualitative approach to obtain information about how career orientation can change the lives of rural high school learners. The purposive sampling technique was used to choose rich information from rural high school learners and teachers, councillors, and the surrounding employers/educational institutions in Waterberg District. Data analysis was done through inductive thematic data analysis where themes and categories emanated. The outcome of the study considered the fundamental aspects to develop career paths, career orientation programs, changing the mind set and the impact of career orientation in rural high schools. The product of the study will be shared with all four schools, nearby employers, and the Department of Education, Waterberg District in Limpopo province. The outcomes of the study might help in dealing with persistent educational obstacles like broader educational equity and public funding for developmental career orientation programs that face many youth and adults in rural communities. It is recommended that policy developers establish career orientation models that would benefit the livelihood of rural high schools.
Ethical Statement
Researchers should consider the professional ethical thoughts, doing away with data fabrication and plagiarism.
Supporting Institution
Central University of Technology
References
- Akcam, B.K., Guney, S. & Cresswell, A.M., (2019). Research design and major issues in developing dynamic theories by secondary analysis of qualitative data. Systems, 7(3), 40.
- Ali, S.R.& Menke, K.A. (2014). Rural Latino youth career development: An application of social cognitive career theory. Career Development Quarterly, 62, 175-186.
- Barker, N. & Harris, L. (2019). Full-time professors versus part-time professors: Whose students get better grades in computer literacy courses? A case study In 2019 International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence (CSCI) ( 876-879). IEEE.
- Baruch, Y. (2014). The development and validation of a measure for protean career orientation, The International Journal of Human Resource Management,25(19), 2702-2723.
- Baruch, Y., N. Szűcs, & Gunz, H. (2015). Career studies in search of theory: The rise of concepts. Career Development International 20, 3-20.
- Bayat, A, Louw, W & Rena, R. (2014). The impact of socio-economic factors on the performance of selected high school learners in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Journal of Human Ecology,45(3), 183-196.
- Bazeley, P., (2013). Qualitative data analysis: Practical strategies. Sage, 47
- Belfiore, F., Westfall, K.B., Schaefer, A., Cappellari, M., Ji, X., Bershady, M.A., Tremonti, C., ...Shetty, S. (2019). The data analysis Pipeline for the SDSS-IV MaNGAIFU galaxy survey: Emission-line modeling. The Astronomical Journal, 158(4), 160.
- Bjerede, M. (2018). Rural districts face challenges and opportunities with technology access. Technology solutions that drive education, EdTech Magazine: Pretoria.
- Chen, Y., & Chang, C. (2018). The impact of an integrated robotics: STEM course with a sailboat topic on high school students’ perceptions of integrative STEM, Interest, and Career Orientation. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education,14(12), em1614.
- Culbertson, M.J. & Billig, S.H. (2016). Decision points and considerations for identifying rural districts that have closed student achievement gaps. Regional Educatioal Laboratory Central.
- Curry, S.D. (2020). Interpretivism and norms, Philosophical Studies, 177(4), 905-930.
- Dabula, P. & Makura, A.H. (2013). High school students perceptions of career and development programmes for university access. International Journal of Education Science, 5(2), 89-97.
- Deieso, D. & Fraser, B.J. (2019). Learning environment, attitudes and anxiety across the transition from primary to secondary school mathematics. Learning Environments Research, 22(1), 133-152.
- DeFeo, D.J. & Tran, T.C. (2019). Recruiting, hiring, and training alaska's rural teachers: How superintendents practice place-conscious leadership. Journal of Research in Rural Education 35(2), 5-7
- Di Giulio A., & Defila, R. (2017). Enabling university educators to equip students with inter-and transdisciplinary competencies. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 18(5), 630-647
- Du Plessis, P. & Mestry, R. (2019). Teachers for rural schools–a challenge for South Africa. South African Journal of Education,39.
- Dodge, E, A, & Welderufael, M. (2014). "Factors that influence career choice in South African township high school student”. Graduate Master’s Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects. 7-13.
- Fatoki, O. (2014). The determinants of the career choice of international students in South Africa. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(23), 668.
- Finnerty, V. (2013). Can participation in a school science fair improve middle school students’ attitudes toward science and interest in science careers? Doctoral dissertation, University of Massachusetts Lowell.
- Hughes, D., Meijers, F. & Kuijpers, M. (2015). Testing times: Careers market policies and practices in England and the Netherlands. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling 43(2), 183-201.
- Kass, E.& Miller E.C. (2018). Career choice among academically excellent students: Choosing teaching career as a corrective experience. Teaching and Teacher Education. 73, 90-98.
- Kaya D., Kutluca, T., & Dağhan, G. (2023). Transforming education with augmented reality, metaverse and virtual reality technologies in the 21st century. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 38(4), 470 - 497. https://doi.org/10.16986/HUJE.2023.503
- Larson, N., Davey, C., Hoffman, P., Kubik, M.Y. & Nanney, M.S. (2016). District wellness policies and school-level practices in Minnesota, USA. Public Health Nutrition, 19(1), 26-35.
- Lohmann, M. J., White, B. & Johnson, K. A. (2019). ‘Increasing the rural special education teacher pipeline through asynchronous online instruction: A program description of the colorado christian university alternative certification program, Rural Special Education Quarterly, 38(3), 151-161.
- Lupton, D. & Maslen, S. (2019). How women use digital technologies for health: Qualitative interview and focus group study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(1), 11481.
- Lusse, M., Notten, T. & Engbersen, G. (2019). School-family partnership procedures in urban secondary education, Part A: Strengths and Limitations. School Community Journal, 29(1), 201-226.
- Mabaso, B.A. (2017). Twenty-first century skills development in rural school learners. Master's thesis, University of Cape Town.
- Miles, J. (2019). ‘The impact of a career intervention programme on South African Grade 11 learners’ career decision-making self-efficacy’, South African Journal of Psychology, 47(2), 209-221.
- Neale-McFall, C.W. & Owens, E.W. (2016). A comparison of rural and urban secondary school career guidance services. Pennsylvania West Chester University of Pennsylvania, 2. p5.
- O’Leary, Z. (2014). Primary data: Surveys, interviews and observation. The essential guide to doing your research project, 201-216.
- Patton, K., Parker, M. & Tannehill, D. (2015). Helping teachers help themselves: Professional development that makes a difference. NASSP Bulletin, 99(1), 26-42.
- Rincón-Gallardo, S. & Fullan. M. (2016). Essential features of effective networks in education. Journal of Professional Capital and Community, 1(1), 5-22.
- Rosen, D. (2014). eLearning Future. What will elearning look like in 2075? eLearning Industry.
- Rudestam, K. & Newton, R.R. (2015). Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process. Thousand Oaks, California, Sage.
- Sanjek, R. (2019). A vocabulary for field notes. Cornell University Press, 92-136.
- Sati V.P. & Song, X. (2018). Mizoram University. Urbanization and its impact on rural Livelihoods. Sichuan Province, China.
- Schaeffer, N.C. (2021). Interaction before and during the survey interview: Insights from conversation analysis. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 24(2), 181-202.
- Steyn, M, G, & Kamper, G. D. (2015). The career orientation of final year teacher training students, Journal of Social Sciences, 43(3), 263- 275.
- Susanti, T., Damris, D., Maison, M. & Tanti, T. (2020). Learning environment and motivation in junior high school. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(5), 2047-2056.
- Swisher R, R & Dennison C, R. (2016). Educational pathways and change in crime between adolescence and early adulthood. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 53(6),840-871.
- Tawafak, R.M., Romli, A.B. & Arshah, R.B.A. (2019). E-learning model for students’ satisfaction in higher education universities. In 2019 International Conference on Fourth Industrial Revolution (ICFIR) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
- Tschopp, C., Unger, D. & Grote, G. (2015). Are support and social comparison compatible? Individual differences in the multiplexity of career‐related social networks. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 46(1), 7-18.
- Van der Heever, H., Chauke, T.M. & Hoque, M.E. (2015). Alcohol use amongst learners in rural high school in South Africa. African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 7(1), 1-6.
- Weda, Z., & de Villiers, R. (2019). Migrant Zimbabwean teachers in South Africa: Challenging and Rewarding Issues. Int. Migration and Integration, 20, 1013-1028.
- Wiernik, B.M. & Kostal, J.W. (2019). Protean and boundaryless career orientations: A critical review and meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 66(3), 280-307.
- Zuma, K.P., Mason, R.B. & Maharaj, M. (2019). Awareness of the Space Industry as a career opportunity in South Africa. International Journal of Socio Technology and Knowledge Development, 11(1), 29-51.