Abstract
Career guidance is one of the most important tools in supporting young people in career decision-making. This study explores the perceptions of matriculants regarding the role of career guidance counsellors, teachers, parents, friends and access to resources when they choose careers. Bourdieu’s theory of the field, habitus and the different capitals was used to investigate the influence of role players.
The study was conducted in a rural area in Kwa Zulu-Natal, Dannhauser, where a total of twelve participants were interviewed through the qualitative research approach. Ten of the participants were grade 12 learners who were on the verge of choosing careers to go into after matric. Having them share their experiences of career guidance and the role of role players that influenced their career decisions answered the question of career guidance in rural high schools. The study also allowed two Life Orientation teachers to give an overview of career guidance in rural high schools in Dannhauser.
Career guidance programmes have been implemented in South African schools. However, through the in-depth interviews conducted in this study, it was established that all role-players work hand in hand, and that learners were not only exposed to career guidance at school. Career guidance also exists at home whereby the parents can influence the learners’ career decisions, as well as within social circles where friends share their career plans. Part of the participants were two learners from private schools whose experiences revealed the idea that career guidance programmes in private schools were present and proving to be effective. The scarcity of career guidance programmes in schools, especially public schools, was accentuated as well as the effects it has on the learners. Whilst we acknowledge the contributions and importance of the different role players discussed in this study, the implementation of career guidance facilitated by trained professionals is highly advised.