Relationship between Personality Types and Career Choices of Undergraduate Students: A Case of Moi University, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between personality types and career choices of undergraduate students of Moi University. In Kenya, students are allowed to revise their career choices at various levels of education before they settle on one course of study in the University. The process of choosing careers begins in form three where students selects subject that would lead them to specific career. Before the final year in high school they choose University courses they would pursue in the University. After the releases of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results, they are allowed to revise their choices. On admission to the University they are given another opportunity to apply for inter-faculty change. Consequently, there is a possibility that students are in career that are not in line with their personality types. The population for the study was undergraduate students admitted by the University Joint Admission Board (JAB). Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select five schools, and a sample 399 participants. A survey research design was used because the study aimed at assessing relationships among the naturally occurring variables with the goal of identifying predictive relationships. The study was based on John Holland Personality Theory of Career Choice (Holland, 1997). The study used Questionnaires adapted from Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) to sort out student's personality types, and Holland's Occupational Finder checklist was used to categorize degree programmes into career choices according to Holland's Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional (RIASEC) model. A reliability of 0.86 of the instruments was established through a pilot study in two non-sampled degree programmes. The data collected were analysed descriptively by use of frequency tables and figures. Chi-square was used to test the null hypothesis at level of significance of 0.5. Results indicated that there was a relationship between personality types, and career choice. The study also found that most of the students (73.3%) are satisfied with their course of study. Research findings will enhance the understanding of personality types on career planning, development and career guidance and counselling in both secondary school and the University. An appropriate career choice for students would enhance satisfaction and success in their course of study and future employment.