Abstract:

Vocational High Schools have a significant place in the national education system and contribute to the economy by fostering qualified mid-level technicians. Students who prefer these educational institutions determine their profession at a very early age. The dissatisfaction of occupation due to the choices made at early ages results in the waste of resources that affect not only students and their families but also the national economy. In this study, occupational choice has been examined specifically involving 'marine occupations'. The factors affecting the occupational choice made at early ages and the level of satisfaction from their occupational choice have been investigated by raking method. Frequency, ANOVA and t-test analysis have been performed in the analysis. Questionnaire survey has been conducted on the students in several maritime vocational high schools in Izmir namely Izmir Çeşme Ulusoy Maritime Anatolian Vocational School, Izmir Güzelbahçe IMKB Maritime Anatolian Vocational School and Izmir Konak Nevvar Salih Emgören Maritime Anatolian Vocational School. The survey was carried out in 2013-14 academic year. The results reveal that most of the students make their occupational choice with their own decisions or under the influence of their families. The level of satisfaction of students from their occupational choice is increasing day by day. Male students think they are suitable for marine occupation and are more satified than female students at their occupational choice.

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