Browsing by Author "Sulon, Robyn Andrea"

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    The relationship of vocational interest-environment congruence with academic achievement and persistence in undergraduate engineering students
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Sulon, Robyn Andrea; de Bruin, Gideon Pieter; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Holland’s (1973) theory of vocational personalities and environments is one of the most well-respected theories that has been used extensively to explain the vocational behaviour of people. The theory suggests that career satisfaction, stability and achievement is dependent on the degree of congruence between one’s personality, defined by occupational interests, and one’s occupational environment. There is also evidence to suggest that interest-environment congruence is significantly and positively correlated with academic performance and persistence, among other career-related outcomes (Spokane, 1985). Despite this, South African school-leavers do not often have the luxury of choice in their vocational pursuits. Many other factors can play a more significant role than psychological suitability, especially when individuals do not have access to accurate information concerning career guidance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between vocational interest-environment congruence and student academic achievement and persistence in a South African university context. Results of the study conclude that for the particular population of interest, the relationship between the vocational interest-environment congruence and academic achievement and persistence of Engineering students was found to be not statistically significant. This finding has implications for career guidance services in South African schools and tertiary educational institutions. More specifically, the study establishes that factors beyond vocational interest preferences are of importance when attempting to understand the career decision-making of young South Africans and the study further encourages and supports the need for a more holistic approach to career guidance that incorporates contextual aspects, such as cultural, individual, familial as well as socioeconomic factors.