ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors influencing career aspirations among standard eight pupils in Kasarani Zone of Nairobi Province. This is an important and worthy area to study because choice of course at this stage will influence the future of pupils and determine the kind of jobs they will find in future, plus the degree of satisfaction in their jobs. Information about various occupational possibilities is important. Children at this point also need to be helped to develop realistic self concept. They should be helped in-preparing and aspiring to enter and progress in careers of their choice. At this stage they need to be informed about various job opening~ available, qualifications required, and possibilities involved. Also the nature of work so that they can make decisions and possibilities involved. Also the nature of work so that the can make decisions and have clear occupational goals. Vocational guidance at an ear y age can help pupils to minimise mismatch between education and employment. It can also help to bring efficient-use of labour force. Every year, colleges and universities graduate thousands of hopeful students· who despite their certificate are virtually unemployable. (Mutie and Ndambuki 1 ~99) Argues that employers often complain that many applications come in response to a single vacancy and 80% have no relevance to the job specification. Few students pursue the education with a clear idea about the kind of work they like to do. Many employed workers are ill suited for their jobs. This leads to higher rate of labour placement or retention of inefficient workers. This is a waste of resources which vocational guidance facility can reduce. . Our primary school children need to be guided to take up courses and careers suited to their needs, interests and aptitudes. This can make them get prepared to become· efficient workers in future. This can also lead individuals to achieve optimum social development and hence national development can be realised finally. Vocational guidance needs to be made regular and a continuous activity in our primary schools. A total of 136 pupils and sixteen teachers participated in the study. Four primary schools formed the sample. Two private academies and two public primary r schools. From these schools 120 standard eight pupils and sixteen teachers handling standard eight classes were randomly selected. Nairobi was chosen as a location of the study because of its cosmopolitan nature, It has easy access to a variety of schools and ministry of education offices. It has also all types of exposures that can facilitate pupils to aspire for various careers. as opposed to a rural setting. Questionnaires were used to collect data from both students and teachers.
