GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT
The study sought to assess self-expression values and sex difference as correlates of career choice among secondary school students in Akpabuyo L.G.A Cross River State, Nigeria. The design used in this study was a survey design. The study area was Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The population of this study consisted of 300 senior secondary school students (150 males and 150 females) randomly selected from five secondary schools in Akpabuyo Local Government Area. Stratified random sampling techniques was used for the study. The main instrument was a questionnaire titled “Self-Expression Values, Sex Difference and Career Choice Questionnaire” (SEVSDCCQ). The reliability coefficient was calculated using test-re-test technique. Reliability coefficient obtained was between the range of .86 to .94, and this was high enough to justify the use of the instrument. The research hypotheses were answered using one-way analysis of variance and independent t-test at .05 level of significance. The study concluded that Self-expression values of attitude, self-concept and aptitude have influence on career choice among senior secondary school students. Also that Sex differentiation significantly influences career choice among senior secondary school students. It was therefore recommended that State Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Secondary Education Board (SEB), as well as the Science and Technical Board should ensure that trained, professional guidance counselors are posted to secondary and technical schools. This will not only help in effective management of our state secondary schools, but will also ensure that guidance counselors will devote more time to effective career counseling strategies which would enable the students make realistic occupational preferences.
KEYWORDS: Self-Expression Values, Sex Difference and Career Choice