Comparative Study to Assess the Attitude of Higher Secondary School Students Regarding Career Counselling in Selected Rural and Urban Schools of Kashmir

Abstract

Background: Career counselling is a process that involves working with a professional to explore and understand various aspects of one's personality, skills, interests, values, and goals to make informed decisions about your career.

Aim: The main aim of the study was to assess the attitude of higher secondary school students regarding career counselling in selected rural and urban schools of Kashmir.

Methods: This study employed a descriptive research design using a quantitative approach. The sample of 100, 50 from government higher secondary school chadoora budgam and 50 from Candid higher secondary school Srinagar were selected. The attitude was the research variable. The study was conducted in one government and one private school in rural and urban areas of kashmir.

Results: The study revealed that 48 (96%) of the rural participants were having a favourable attitude towards career counselling. The study also found that 46 (92%) of the participants from urban areas were having a favourable attitude. The (Mean ± SD) for study subjects from rural areas was (33.08 ± 5.39), while the (Mean ± SD) for urban areas was (33.02±4.62). The pvalues was not significant for attitude and selected demographic variables in rural school viz age (p=0.833), gender (p=1.0), grade level (p=1.0), subjects studying (p=0.74), aim in life (p=0.27), reason for choosing a specific aim (p=0.20), and family per capita income (p=0.50). In urban areas significant association was observed with age (p= 0.05), subjects studying (p=0.03), reason for choosing a specific aim (p=0.001), Conclusion: The study concluded that the higher secondary students are well aware about the need and importance of career counselling at an early stage and have a favourable attitude towards it. There must be provision of career counsellors at higher secondary level so that students can be guided to choose careers of their interest and wit. Recognized by the NEP 2020, there is an emphasis on providing early exposure to various career options for students. According to policymakers, this approach will generate a requirement for career counselors collaborating with schools to introduce students to diverse career paths and assist them in exploring their interests and strengths at an early stage.