i INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS ON CAREER PROGRESSION AMONG POST-GRADUATE FEMALE STUDENTS IN EGERTON UNIVERSITY, NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The career progression of mature female students has long been challenged by socio-cultural barriers, particularly in balancing professional growth with societal expectations. This study aimed to explore key socio-cultural factors that limit career advancement among mature female students at Egerton University, Kenya. The objectives included examining the influence of household size, gender division of labor, cultural stereotypes, and mentorship on career progression. A sample of 96 mature female students and 8 department heads was selected, with data gathered through interviews and analyzed using both inferential and descriptive statistics in SPSS version 27. The results indicated that household size, gender division of labor, and cultural stereotypes negatively and significantly impacted career progression, while mentorship had a strong positive influence. Notably, household size showed a strong negative correlation (r = -.914, p = .001), as did gender division of labor (r = -.960, p = .000) and cultural stereotypes (r = -.967, p = .000). Mentorship was found to significantly promote career progression (r = .991, p = .000). The regression analysis explained 99.9% of the variance in career progression. These findings highlight the importance of addressing socio-cultural challenges to support female students' career growth. Policymakers and stakeholders in education and employment should use these insights to develop programs and policies that foster equitable opportunities for mature female students. Gender mainstreaming initiatives could also benefit from these results, leading to more effective planning and development strategies.