THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CAREER COUNSELLING IN SHAPING CAREER CHOICES AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS IN JOS NORTH METROPOLIS

Abstract

Career counselling plays a vital role in helping students make informed career decisions based on their interests, abilities, and values. However, many Nigerian secondary school students still make career choices without adequate professional guidance, leading to dissatisfaction, academic mismatch, and unemployment. This study examined the effectiveness of career counselling in shaping career choices among senior secondary students in Jos North Metropolis, Plateau State. A descriptive survey design was adopted. A sample of 200 students was selected using simple random sampling from four public and private secondary schools. A structured questionnaire titled Career Counselling and Career Choice Questionnaire (CCCCQ) was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test statistics. Findings revealed that career counselling significantly improves students’ awareness of career options, enhances self-understanding, and positively influences decision-making. However, challenges such as inadequate counsellors and poor exposure to career guidance materials limit its effectiveness. The study recommends that schools strengthen counselling units, train more guidance counsellors, and organize periodic career orientation programmes to support students in making appropriate career choices.