Gender Differences in Career Choices and Aspirations among Girls and Boys: A Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Mongu District of Zambia

Career choice has become a complex science with the advent of post-industrial revolution and job competition. The right career made for pupils entering the professional education is critical having life impact on their professional life and future achievement. However, studies have shown that gender plays a deterministic role in career choices. Although significant progress in achieving parity in education is evident, there are limited studies that examine factors that lead to gender differences in career choice as boys and girls progress on academic ladder. This study examined the differences in career choices and aspirations among girls and boys in selected secondary schools in Mongu District of Western Province, Zambia. The target population for the study comprised all grade 11 and grade 12 pupils accounting for 460 pupils and four career guidance teachers. The study sample was 150 representing 73 boys, 73 girls and 4 career guidance and counselling teachers from the two schools. Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were used as data collection methods. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically while quantitative data was analyzed using frequency distributions and tables. The findings indicated that male pupils have more career ambitions unlike girls due to their upbringing and how they are socialized. Prominent factors that came out as affecting pupil’s career choice were; Parental influence, the nature of acquired results at grade 12, financial constraints, peer pressure and teachers advice. The study highlighted some of the gender stereotypical segregation where one class of only boys was put in a separate class to take subjects that are perceived to be male dominated like Geometrical Science, Woodwork and pure sciences. This separation clearly showed that the school management was not supporting girls to take up such subjects which in turn gives girls no motivation. The study identified, lack of support from school management when it comes to career pathways of pupils, inadequate time allocated for career guidance services and programs, unavailability of career guidance teachers, as well as lack of role models. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the school board should adopt a gender sensitive and responsive policy on career pathways and programs that support boys and girls academic endeavors, as well as organize trainings for career guidance teachers coupled with latest teaching and learning materials such as career guide manuals for pupils.