SELF CONCEPT AND VOCATIONAL INTEREST AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (ADOLESCENTS)

This study examined Self Concept and Vocational Interest among secondary school students in Ohafia Education zone of Abia State. Through purposive random sampling technique, a total of seven hundred and ninety nine (799) SS II students participated in the study. Instruments used in the study were Adolescent Personal Data Inventory (APDI) Akinboye (1985) and Vocational Interest Inventory (VII) Bakare (1977). Regression Analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Ztest statistics and Pearson Product Moment were used as statistical tools for data analysis. Moreso, frequency counts, percentages and rank were also used to analyze data. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between self concept and vocational interest. Those adolescents with high vocational interest turned towards scientific, literary, persuasive, computational and social services interest areas; whereas low vocational interest turned towards outdoor activities, mechanical, musical and artistic areas of interest. There was no significant difference between the male in their vocational interest. Implications of these findings were stressed. It was recommended among others that well-packaged seminars and workshops be organized regularly, including the school-based management committee in various schools to intimate parents, teachers and counsellors on self concept, interest and needs of the adolescents. Limitations of the study were highlighted and summary and conclusion drawn.