FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

EDB 3201 ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION
GROUP COURSEWORK
GROUP VII

SERUGO DANIEL 2021/A/KEB/1754/G/F

NABASA MOSES 2021/A/KSE/1795/G/F

TURYAKIRA ANASTORIOUS 2021/A/KEP/1385/F

TUMUKURATE EUDECIOUS 2021/A/KEB/2763/F

NIMUSIIMA RACHEAL 2021/A/KSE/1798/G/F

KAGERA JAMES 2021/A/KSE/1800/G/F

NIWAHA NABOTH 2021/A/KEB/0726/F

OTIM DENISH OKORI 2021/A/KEB/1748/G/F

BALUKU GEOFFREY 2021/A/KEB/0027/F

AGABA JULIAN 2021/A/KEP/0012/F

ANYIJUKYIRE REMEGIOUS 2021/A/KEB/2613/F

Question; 7
a) Define a career using various examples.
b) Discuss the factors considered when choosing a career.
A career is often used to refer to a profession, occupation, or vocation of a person, or simply
what he/she does for a living and ranges from those that require extensive training and education
such as lawyer, doctor, teacher and much more to those that a person can perform with only
willingness to learn. It could mean working as a doctor, lawyer, teacher, carpenter and veterinary
assistant, electrician, cashier, hairstylist, soldier etc.
Or
A career refers to the progress and actions a person has undertaken throughout the working yours
of his or her life, especially as they relate to their occupation.
In this perspective, it comprises of the different responsibilities a person has held, titles a person
has earned, and work or tasks that you have accomplished over a long period of time i.e. a
person’s single career could include a variety of different path. For example a professional
bio/chem teacher working as a head of department of biology and as a senior three class teacher
in a school.
Other definitions of career by different scholars
Hughes (1937) In a highly and rigidly structured society, a career consists, objectively, of a
series of status and clearly defined offices. In a free one, the individual has more latitude for
creating his own position or choosing from a number of existing ones.
Subjectively, a career is the moving perspective in which the person sees his life as a whole and
interprets the meaning of his various attributes, actions, and the things which happen to him. The
career is by no means exhausted in a series of business and professional achievements. There are
other points at which one’s life touches the social order, other lines of social accomplishment. It
is possible to have a career in an avocation as well as in a vocation.
Hughes (1958) subjectively, a career is the moving perspective in which persons orient
themselves with reference to the social order, and of the typical sequences and concatenations of
office.
Wilensky (1961) A career is a succession of related jobs, arranged in a hierarchy of prestige,
through which persons move in an ordered (more-or-less predictable) sequence.
Super (1980) A career is a sequence of positions held during the course of a lifetime, some of
them simultaneously

Sullivan and Baruch (2009) A career refers to an individual’s work-related and other relevant
experiences, both inside and outside of organizations that form a unique pattern over the
individual’s lifespan. This definition recognizes both physical movement as well as the
interpretation of the individual, including his/her perceptions of career events, career alternatives
and outcomes. Moreover, careers do not occur in a vacuum. An individual’s career is influenced
by many contextual factors as well as by personal factors.

Sue Mulhall (2014) Career is the evolving sequence of a person’s work experiences over time.
Career Old meaning: a course of professional advancement where the usage was restricted to
occupational groups with formal hierarchical progression, such as doctors, lawyers, managers
and other professionals.
New meaning: the unfolding sequence of any person’s work experiences over time.’
The definitions offered above by various scholars illustrate that a career can be described in two
different ways; objectively and subjectively.
 There are objective careers, emulating the more or less publicly observable positions, situations
and statuses that serve as benchmarks for gauging an individual’s movement through society,
comprising predictable stages and an ordered sequence of development.
Associated criteria for assessing careers on this basis might include level of remuneration and
promotion history coupled with position in the organizational hierarchy.
Careers can also be understood on a more subjective basis, reflecting the individual’s own sense
of his/her career, defined by the personal interpretations and values that identity bestows on a
person. Relevant here are dimensions such as job satisfaction, contentment with career
opportunities and feeling self-confident at work.

b)
Parsons (1909) In the wise choice of a vocation or a career, there are three broad factors to
consider:
(1) A clear understanding of yourself, your aptitudes, abilities, interests, ambitions, resources,
limitations, and their causes
(2) a knowledge of the requirements, conditions of success, advantages and disadvantages,
compensation, opportunities and prospects in different lines of work; (3) true reasoning on the
relations of these two groups of facts.’

Factors considered when choosing a career.

Passion and skills
In the making of career choice, most people choose to opt for career path which include thing
that they love to do and would even do them for free and still be happy. The career may not
ultimately be a perfect match to what you come up with, but daydream for a bit and then write
down the biggest reasons you get up in the morning. What inspires you? What drives you? After
you write that initial list, do you see any links in common?
Furthermore, take a minute and write down your top skills (writing, mathematics, computer
coding, etc.). Do you see any connections that jump out between the two lists? If you do, you
might be well on your way down your career path.
Your goals
What do you want out of your career the most? Is having a high salary the biggest motivator or is
a solid work-life balance your North Star? Do you want to travel the world or work remotely
with ease from your kitchen table? Do you want to live in the heart of a major city in an
apartment or in a more rural setting on a big plot of land? Where do you see yourself five, 10, or
20 years down the road?
Before you begin searching for your possible careers, you need to start plotting out what your
future could look like. Write up a list of what is most important to you. This is where creating a
vision board could also come in handy to help you begin to hone in on the pillars of your
potential career.
Values
When it comes to finding a career, people consider what they value the most. Just as you need to
start thinking about your goals, you need to determine what values will help propel you to those
goals. It may be handy to keep your list of personality traits nearby for this exercise because
many of them may be connected to your values.
For example they consider the type of work culture or leadership structure in which they expect
to thrive in and any deal breakers that can arise from their personal convictions.
Potential salary
Salary block letters with paper person walking up them as stairs
You have a list of possible occupations. Great! It is now time to get an idea of what the salary
ranges of those possible careers could be because rent and bills will not pay themselves.
Job prospects and outlooks
Along with passion, you must also factor in practicality as in what jobs are dying off and which
ones are projected to surge in terms of popularity and necessity to meet the needs of our
changing world.
Although we cannot stare into a crystal ball for insight into occupations 10 years down the road,
there are tools available to help glean a better idea of the fastest-growing and most in-demand
careers.
Educational costs and training
Simply put, no two occupations are the same when it comes to the amount of education and
training needed. Some require graduate school. Some require internships. Some professions,
such as becoming a doctor, require logging in a certain number of hours as a resident.
As you continue to whittle down your list of possible occupations, know how much schooling
and training will be necessary for you to obtain a certain profession. That will help you begin to
create a rough timeline in your mind of when you can go from student to practitioner and
determine the possible costs of those educational paths as you start planning for college and
managing your finances
Resources at home and school
It also pays to seek out a traditional in-person third party, such as a school counselor. In addition
to providing you with resources to help you select the next step in your higher education path, a
counselor can also help you envision your career path.
Lastly, you can always sit down with a parent or family member especially if he or she is in a
profession that is of interest to you. Even if they are not, there is a good chance that they might
know someone who is and could possibly set up an informational interview
Nowadays, people are more likely to frequently change careers over their professional life. For
example, you may study biochemistry at the university but find yourself working in a bank.
Job Availability
It’s amazing how times have changed in the past four decades, and many popular jobs no longer
exist anymore. Technology will continue to render some careers obsolete. Considering the job
market and prospects when choosing a career is essential, as you want to ensure that
opportunities will be available once you’ve qualified. For example, there was a time when people
everywhere began to learn about computers, which was a huge career opportunity. However,
while these jobs still exist, computers are becoming more advanced, and some roles won’t be
around in the future.
Some industries are growing rapidly, such as wireless technology, artificial intelligence and
renewable energy, so it’s worth considering which area offers the most security.
Interest and passion
More often the starting point for many people when choosing a career is their interests. Of
course, your interests don’t always have to match your future career directly. However, they can
give your ideas of what direction to go. For example, studying law might not seem like an
obvious choice if you’re interested in history. However, both law and history are about research,
critical thinking, and analysing evidence, so they have a lot in common.
For example, if you love animals, working with them could be a great option, and numerous
careers would allow you to do this. Alternatively, if you’re passionate about fashion, a career in
design or styling could be perfect for you
Skills and qualifications
Skills and qualifications play a significant role in choosing your future career. After all, certain
positions require specific skills and experience that you might not have yet.
For example, you’ll need to complete an intensive medical degree to be a doctor. Alternatively,
to be an engineer, you’ll need to study mathematics and science to a high level.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that your future is set in stone from the moment you start studying.
There are always ways to change direction or gain new qualifications later on. However, it’s
essential to be realistic about the options open to you and the amount of work that might be
required.
Soft skills
When you go for an interview, many employers may ask what your skills are. These are the
intangible skills that define your personal brand like empathy, time efficiency, people
management skills, and team player. These soft skills will help you secure a job and grow
throughout your career. If you are also skilled in handling people of different age groups, you
may do well in the healthcare sector or education. Identify your skills and plan your career path
accordingly.
Talent and strength
Your talents are those actions that come naturally to you but not to most people. It will help you
to succeed if you are in a field that needs your talent. Everyone has one or two talents and it is
vital you understand what yours are before choosing your career path. Your strengths can also be
termed as your skills and good skills enhance your career path.
Level of education
Your level or degree of education could play an important role in advancing your career path.
Even if you got employed without a degree, you may still need to get more education to improve
your competitive advantage. Some jobs require you to obtain some form of degree while others
may just need you to learn on the job with training. Either way, you need some forms of higher
education to advance.
Attitude to work
People react differently in the same work environment. Your attitude to work is crucial when
choosing a career path. If you have a positive approach to work and can work in a stressful
environment, you can opt for a more challenging and fulfilling career. If you cannot cope with
stress, maybe due to your family or personality, it is better to choose a career path that is less
stressful yet fulfilling to you.
Earning potential
This should not be the center of your decision in choosing a career path, but it’s essential to it.
After all, you want to make sure that you can support yourself (and your family) comfortably.

Of course, money isn’t everything, and you shouldn’t choose a job simply because it pays well.
However, it is something that you should take into account as it will have a big impact on your
quality of life. And also to gain the investment returns of the amount of money you spend to
obtain your degree in the university.
Job experience
Your relevant job experience can help to get your dream job in your desired career. Many big
companies and organizations tend to employ individuals with some level of experience. You can
acquire experience in your desired career by volunteering, undergoing internships, or
participating in some other jobs which might not pay you for your services but at the end of the
day, you are able to get the level of experience which is required for you to get your dream job.
Course availability
Since all institutions may not offer the same course or teach in the same way, you have to
confirm if your desired career is taught in your preferred institution. Most times, people have to
change their preferred careers due to unavailability of courses in the accepted institution of
study. It becomes paramount to check for such courses or for other related courses before
applying to any institution.
Course relevance
A lot of careers and jobs are becoming less important and being replaced by new technologies.
Hence, when choosing your career, you have to consider course relevance in the job market.
Example is the ATM machines replacing some bank jobs, and manufacturing machines replacing
some factory jobs. A relevant career today might become obsolete tomorrow. So do well to
choose a career with long-term relevance.
Personality
The personality type can reveal a lot about the kind of career that would suit a person best. For
example, working in a fast-paced environment with lots of people might not be ideal if you’re an
introvert. Alternatively, if you love socializing and meeting new people, a job that involves
customer service could be perfect for you.
Market availability
People often choose a career path that is favorable in the job market. Considering if there are
more job openings and is it for the long term
Preferences & Lifestyle
Several people choose their career basing on their preferences, For example, do they prefer
working alone or as a team? Of if they do like working outdoors or indoors? And if they do want
a job with a lot of travel or one you can do from home?
Your lifestyle choices will also play a role in your decision. People with young children might
need a job that offers flexible working hours or provides child care. Alternatively, if you’re
planning on starting a family soon, you might want to consider a career that provides good
maternity/paternity leave and childcare options.
Working Hours
Working hours are another vital factor in considered when deciding on the career path, as
specific careers require more dedication than others. For example, farmers, gardeners and waste
disposal professionals have longer working weeks, while professionals in office-based roles
average around 35 hours per week.
Change is constant. You are likely to change as you progress through life and gain new
perspectives. Your lifestyle may also be affected when making these decisions. When choosing a
career, it is important you choose a career that you would enjoy as you grow older. For example,
if you don’t like to work out and follow a strict diet plan, you may not find jobs that require you
to stay fit a good choice. Your career path should impact your lifestyle. Both must always align
to give you a fulfilling life.
Achieving your long term goals
It is important to align your dreams and aspirations with your career. We all have dreams and
long term goals. It may be job satisfaction, financial freedom, or fame. Your career paths should
fit into your goals and dreams. Generally, your job should give you the satisfaction you need. It
is not all about the monetary value but for you to do your job and be happy with yourself as well.
Availability of funds
You need to check your financial status when opting for a course to study. Except you are being
funded through a scholarship or other forms of grants, it would not be wise to choose a course
that would create holes in your pockets. For example, if you want to study medicine, you are
required to purchase a lot of textbooks and materials. These medical books are quite expensive.
If you cannot afford the expense of medical school, you may struggle to get through.
Alternatively you can choose a less expensive course in the medical field like biochemistry or
microbiology.
REFERENCES
Mulhall, S. (2014) ‘Careers and Career Development’, in Harney, B. and Monks, K. (eds.)
Strategic HRM: Research and Practice in Ireland, pp. 211-229, Dublin, Orpen Press.
Salami Olufunmilayo Olamide, Salami Oluwaseun Olawaiye (2013) The factors determining
choice of career among secondary school students. The international journal of engineering and
science 2 (6), 33-44.