Creative commons User License CC BY-NC-ND Journal of Agricultural Extension Abstracted by: EBSCOhost, Electronic Journals Service (EJS),
Vol. 20 (2) December, 2016 Google Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ),
ISSN(e): 24086851; ISSN(Print);
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Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), CABI and Scopus http://www.ajol.info/index.php/jae
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Specialisation Preferences and Perceived Motivation in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management Programme at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jae.v20i2.5
Ogunjinmi, AA. Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management School of Agriculture and Agricultural technology Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Email aaogunjinmi@futa.edu.ng
Phone: +2348077428332
Abstract This study determined specialisation preferences and perceived motivational factors in ecotourism and wildlife management programme among students in the Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. A sample of 156 students was randomly drawn from 261 students in the Department. Data were collected with questionnaire while analysis was through independent t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation. Results show that 74.4% of the students preferred ecotourism management while 25.6% preferred wildlife management. Furthermore, observed mean values of the perceived motivational factors (self-actualisation=4.20, job opportunity, field attractiveness, ease of study, and scholastic achievement) were lower than reported in previous studies. It is recommended that the departmental curriculum should enhance opportunities for study exchange programme with institutions offering similar programmes overseas and also field practical exposure in all areas of the programme that could bolster students' job opportunities after graduation. Keywords: Specialisation,
preferences, perceived, motivation, programme
Introduction Choosing a profession is a significant stage in life and expresses one's personal inclinations (Natan and Becker, 2010). Studies indicate that people choose a career when it is compatible with factors they perceive as significant
for an ideal career (Natan and Becker, 2010). According to
Meyer et al. (1993), compatibility leads to a greater commitment to the chosen career, while incompatibility will eventually result
