The purpose of this research is to provide information for vocational education of professional high school students, reestablish the direction of education and prepare materials that can help students to establish right career values and choose the r...
The purpose of this research is to provide information for vocational education of professional high school students, reestablish the direction of education and prepare materials that can help students to establish right career values and choose the right career by analyzing the motivation of entrance of current professional high school (agricultural, technical, commercial) students, persons who motivated them, their satisfaction level, plans and preparation for future career after graduation and satisfaction level for the career guide at school. The target of this research is total 644 students from 3 professional schools (agricultural, technical, commercial) located in Gwangju Metropolitan city. By using SPSS, a statistical program, we have calculated the frequency and percentage (%) of each question and then compared the result by rearranging it into a graph. Following is the result of our research.
First, 63.5% of students decided to enter professional high school on their 9thgrade when they need to think about going on to higher school.
Second, 41.3% of students decided to enter professional high school because it suits their own interest and aptitude. Instead of the common perception of having to enter professional high school when their grade is not good, increasing number of students are choosing professional high school because it fits their interest and aptitude or because it is advantageous when entering university or getting a job. This shows that people’s perception toward professional high school is starting to change.
Third, 42.7% of students looked up for career information by themselves when entering professional high school. This means that high entrance rate can imply that they are satisfied with the school they have chosen and we need to use various approaches to increase students’ satisfaction on choosing their career and entering the school.
Fourth, career value showed differences. When students choose their career, they highly evaluate their aptitude which is their first priority and also environmental factors. In other words, students’ career decision is sensitive to environmental change of the era.
Fifth, when students choose their career, they picked their interest and aptitude as their first priority and then pay and future potential. We can say that students’ career value is comparatively well established. From the perspective of career value which is important when choosing a job, students’ work ethic is very upright and rational.
Sixth, students’ future career decision is highly influenced by their personal acquaintances such as parents, relatives, friends, etc. This clearly shows the difference between a group of parents and relatives and a group of teachers just like the factor influencing students on entering professional high school. Thus, we need to realize that the connectivity between these two groups is the most important thing.
Seventh, students choose the career that suits their aptitude and ability as the most ideal one same as the criteria they use for choosing a job. It seems like they try to live in a comfortable circumstances by earning lots of money through a job that satisfies their aptitude and ability.
With the results gained through this research, we are going to provide the following suggestions.
First, as we have conducted this research targeting a part of students from 3 professional high schools (agricultural, technical, commercial) located in Gwangju Metropolitan City, when interpreting there search, there is a limit on generalizing it to the whole students. So, more extensive research with widened scope of research and larger samples needs to be conducted.
Second, the research tool used for this research is survey which is arranged by a researcher, so, it is necessary to examine the results using various factors and approaches other than the differential analysis used in this research. Follow-up research about research tool that can increase the validity and reliability needs to be continued for more accurate measurement and analysis.
Third, research about career values and career decision in this fast changing information era needs to be conducted regularly and continuously in order to help professional high school students with their future career plan. Program which is proper for the current generation also needs to be developed.
Fourth, social environment which recognizes individuals’ talent and aptitude rather than the level of education or background is necessary. Full support and incentives for professional high school students need to be established as soon as possible and social climate which focuses on educational background needs to disappear.