Socioeconomic Status as a Predictor of Career Risk-taking Behaviour among Secondary School Students in West Bengal, India

Career choices are not merely decisions about the future, but reflections of how individuals perceive risk, opportunity, and possibility. This study examines the predictive role of socioeconomic status (SES) in shaping career risk-taking behaviour among secondary school students in West Bengal, India. Using a quantitative descriptive survey design, data were collected from 212 students through multistage sampling and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation, Chi-square, ANOVA, and multiple regression analyses. The findings indicate that a majority of students (74.5%) exhibit a moderate level of career risk-taking behaviour (M = 116.66, SD = 20.51). Inferential results reveal no statistically significant relationship between SES and career risk-taking behaviour (r = -0.035, p > 0.05), and no significant association across income groups (χ²(6) = 2.760, p = 0.838). Further, ANOVA results show no significant group differences (F(3,208) = 0.871, p = 0.457), while regression analysis confirms that SES and demographic variables do not significantly predict career risk-taking behaviour (R² = 0.010, p = 0.568). These findings challenge the conventional assumption of socioeconomic determinism, indicating that career risk-taking behaviour is largely independent of SES and may be influenced more by psychological and contextual factors. The study contributes empirical evidence from the Indian context and highlights the need for multidimensional approaches in career development and policy frameworks.