The underlying thesis of this study is that subsequent employment is related to certain variables and that the definition of this relationship will indicate possible solutions to problems brought about by career changes. The study was designed to test the following research questions. (1) Do "categorical" scholarships have significant impact on subsequent employment? (2) Does career interest at high school have significant impact on subsequent employment? (3) Does high school subject specialty have significant impact on subsequent employment?
A questionnaire was administered to the 1977, 1978 and 1979 graduates of the University of Botswana and Swaziland. SPSS('x) package was used for data reduction and analysis. Crosstabular analysis were used to determine statistical significance.
No significant relationship was found between "categorical" scholarships and subsequent employment.
A significant relationship was found between career interest at high school and subsequent employment.
No significant relationship was found between high school subject specialty and subsequent employment.
Additional analysis showed that subsequent employment was also related to age group and to the subject the student liked most while in high school.
The author concluded that "categorical" scholarships might succeed initially in channeling students into certain careers but that "categorical" scholarships cannot permanently hold students into development priority areas. Because career interest seems to play a significant part in influencing subsequent employment, incentives should be used to develop students' interest in career where their skills are most needed.
