Abstract

Adolescence is the period when significant career development takes place. The occupational choices made during this formative stage of career shape the whole work life. Adolescents begin to search their career identity, develop an awareness of vocational interests, and undertake career planning and exploration during this time. Researches on the subject indicate that a variety of person, environmental, contextual, and behavioural variables influence the career choice process. These factors could facilitate or impede an individual’s career building and trajectories. The purpose of the present study is to investigate how Muslim adolescents contemplate and develop career interests and goals, and what is the trends and composition of their perceived choices. Gender differences in the preferred career choices were also examined. A self-designed Career Goal Scale with Career Goal Setting Scale (CGS) of Mu (1999) was employed to collect the empirical data. A sample comprising 75 Muslim adolescents (40 boys and 35 girls) with age ranging from 16 to 19 years was prepared for the purpose. Descriptive statistics were used to tabulate and analyse the data. Results revealed occupational choices that were conventional, employment oriented, and independence seeking aspired by the majority of adolescents. Findings have implications for career counselling practices, devising appropriate educational interventions, and future research.