Educating For Effective Resource Management and Self-Employment Intentions of Graduates from Public Universities in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated educating for effective resource management and self-employment intentions of graduates from public universities in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative descriptive research design to collect and analyze numerical data. A sample of 400 graduates were proportionately drawn from the population of 4,312, recent graduates within the last five years in four Faculties in public Universities in Cross River State, using multi-stage sampling technique. A structured instrument titled: Acquisition of Resource Management Skills and Self-employment Intentions Survey (ARMSSIS) was developed, validated by experts and used to collect primary data from respondents. The reliability estimate of the questionnaire was determined with Cronbach alpha at .89. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics of Chi-Square test of independence. Findings revealed that university curriculum in Cross River State appears not to have sufficiently equipped graduates with practical business competencies needed for self-employment and effective resource allocation. Also, the university experience did not sufficiently inspire independent business ambitions despite perceptions that certain enablers could aid intentions. It was equally found that there is a significant relationship between educational background and factors influencing the career choices of university graduates in Cross River State. It was concluded that there is a need for universities to reform pedagogy to better equip graduates with practical entrepreneurial and business competencies in order to inspire career autonomy. It is therefore recommended amongst others that the universities should work more closely with industry to integrate practical, skills-based learning into their curricula.