Factors Shaping Vocational High School Students' Career Choices

This study aimed to examine the factors influencing the career choices of students attending vocational high schools and workplace-based vocational training programs. To this end, a questionnaire was developed and tested for validity and reliability. This study utilized a combination of correlational and descriptive survey models and was administered to a total of 460 students. Exploratory factor analysis showed that the questionnaire consisted of three subscales—social and financial benefits, physical conditions, and workplace climate—and a total of 15 items, explaining 46.14% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for each subscale and the overall questionnaire were .79 for social and financial benefits, .71 for physical conditions, .68 for workplace climate, and .81 for the overall questionnaire. Correlation coefficients support the relationship between the questionnaire's sub-dimensions. Psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire demonstrates that it is a measurement tool that can help identify factors influencing vocational high school students' career choices. Student opinions on the social and financial benefits and workplace climate sub-dimensions differed in terms of both gender and grade level variables, while student opinions on the physical conditions sub-dimension differed only in terms of grade level variable. Descriptive findings indicate that job security has the highest mean score among 15 factors in students' career choices, followed by high prestige, earning capacity, benefits, advancement opportunities, and employer reputation. On the other hand, geographic location was found to be the lowest-ranking factor in career choice among students. Clarifying the factors that influence students' career decisions could be beneficial for employers, as well as education policymakers and educators. In this age of accelerated career transitions, enhancing understanding of the factors influencing students' career decisions can inform the labor market about career decision-making dynamics. Furthermore, understanding the factors influencing career choices among vocational high school students can help improve career awareness among students in the career decision-making process.