An Examination of School Students’ Career Maturity and Readiness and Their Perceptions of Agriculture as a Career

Abstract

Adolescence is a pivotal stage for career decision-making, where readiness, confidence, and planning for future shape life choices. This study explored career maturity, career decision self-efficacy, and future orientation towards carrier choices among 300 students of age group 14–18 and classes 9–12 and their attitudes toward agriculture as a career. Data were collected through a structured bilingual questionnaire across government, aided/ semi government, and private schools, guided by Crites’ Career Maturity Framework, Social Cognitive Career Theory, and Future Orientation theory. Results highlighted moderate levels of career maturity, self-efficacy and future orientation among participants, but attitude toward agriculture was low all through. Boys and private school students scored higher across all measures, indicating gender and school-type differences. Regression analysis revealed that career maturity and self-efficacy significantly prognosticated agricultural attitudes, while future orientation had a borderline effect. Parental occupation also influenced participant’s perceptions, with children of farmers showing less interest in agriculture. The findings reveal a paradox that adolescents are developing the psychological resources for career readiness but remain reluctant to consider agriculture as a viable path. The study underscores the need for career guidance, gender-sensitive interventions, and curriculum reforms to reconstruct agriculture as a modern, aspirational, and sustainable career option.