Description:
This study investigated the determinants of selection of A-level subjects‟ combination for
future career choice among private secondary school students. The study was guided by the
following specific objectives, to establish how personal interest determine the selection of
A-level subjects combination for future career choice, to determine whether parents‟
economic status influences the selection of A-level subject combination for future career
choice, to determine how parents level of education contributes to the selection of A-level
subject combination for future career choice, to find out whether peer pressure determines
the selection A-level subject combinations for future career choice. The study was guided
by Self- Concept Theory of Career Choice and Development as well as Social Cognitive
Career Theory. The study employed mixed research approach whereby the researcher used
both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Also, convergent parallel research
design was used to guide the researcher from the data collection, data recording and data
presentation. The researcher used questionnaires to get information from teachers and
students while the heads of schools were interviewed. The researcher used both probability
sampling and non-probability to get the sample size from the population. Lastly, the
researcher conducted a pilot study to one of the secondary schools in Dodoma City
Council before the real study so as to test the reliability of the research instruments. After
testing the reliability of research instruments the researcher observed some weaknesses,
therefore, the researcher made some corrections to make the instruments reliable to collect
what were supposed to be collected from the respondents to help the researcher to write the
report. The following are the findings are of this study, parents have a big influence on
their children‟s selection of subject combinations, also teachers guide students according to
their performance to select their subject combination. This study recommends that
education must be provided to academic teachers and also students on selection of subject
combination because this ensures right choice of A-level subjects' combination for future
career choice.