The Influence Of Career Counselling On Secondary School Students' Career Awareness And Choice In Nasarawa Eggon Lga Of Nasarawa State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63084/cognexus.v2i2.297Keywords:
Career counselling, career awareness, career choice, secondary school studentsAbstract
This study examined the relationship between career counselling and secondary school students' career awareness and choice in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with a population of 2,350 Senior Secondary School students across fifteen public schools. A sample of 250 students was selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Career Counselling, Career Awareness and Career Choice Questionnaire (CCACQ), which was validated by experts with a Content Validity Index of 0.85 and achieved a Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.862. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and multiple regression) at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that career counselling has a significant positive relationship with students' career awareness (r = .687, p < .001) and career choice (r = .671, p < .001). The study also identified significant challenges affecting the effectiveness of career counselling, including inadequately trained counsellors, limited resources and facilities, and a lack of parental support (R² = .677, p < .001). The findings align with Super's Developmental Theory, Holland's Vocational Personalities Theory, and Krumboltz's Social Learning Theory, which collectively emphasise the importance of structured guidance during adolescence. The study concludes that career counselling is significantly associated with enhanced career awareness and more informed career choices. However, systemic challenges undermine its effectiveness in rural Nigerian schools. Recommendations include employing qualified counsellors, integrating career guidance into school timetables, providing adequate resources, and involving parents in counselling programs. Addressing these challenges is critical for improving students' career preparedness and reducing the mismatch between graduate skills and labour market demands in Nigeria.
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