Integration of Students’ Career Opportunities and Dual Career Development among Students in Secondary Schools in Sebei Sub-Region, Uganda

Abstract

While combining academic and sports development is believed to provide opportunities that enable an individual to possess a better-balanced lifestyle, a stronger sense of self in areas other than sports, and greater life skills beyond their athletic career, the process is challenging and presents several barriers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of integrating students' career opportunities on dual career development among students with a careful interest in how dual careers have become a relevant matter in the world of work as one of the tools that can improve social life. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches in which a population involving headteachers, deputy headteachers, directors of studies, career guidance teachers, games teachers, sports officers, and students who have been involved in games and sports in the schools were targeted. The study used a sample of 186 people selected using purposive, simple random and cluster sampling techniques. A pre-tested, validated, self-administered questionnaire and interview guide were used to gather data. The findings of the study revealed that for integration of students' needs with careers and dual career development, R2 = .495, F=179.242, Sig= .000 < .05 for an academic career and R2 = .670, F=371.676, Sig= .000 < .05 for a sports career. The study concluded that the integration of students' needs with careers had a higher influence on sports than on academic career development. The study finally recommends that career teachers need to provide guidance tailored to the needs of each student to allow for the integration of student needs with career opportunities. Mass guidance to groups of students does not provide for the integration of individual needs