Perceived Influence of Career Counselling on Career Development of Public Senior Secondary School Students in Makurdi, Benue State.

Abstract

This study investigated the perceived influence of career counselling on the career development of public senior secondary school students in Makurdi, Benue State. Two research questions and hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 7,856 senior secondary school students in public secondary schools within Makurdi Local Government Area, from which a sample of 380 was drawn using a multistage sampling technique. A researcher-developed instrument titled Career Counselling and Career Development Questionnaire (CCCDQ) was used for data collection. The instrument contained 10 items structured on a four-point Likert scale. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while hypotheses were tested using the Chi-square (X²) goodness-of-fit test at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that career counselling has a significant perceived influence on students’ career choice and vocational readiness. It was concluded that effective career counselling enhances students’ self-awareness, decision-making skills, and preparedness for the world of work. The study recommended, among others, that school administrators should strengthen counselling services in secondary schools, employ more qualified counsellors, and integrate career education into the school curriculum to promote purposeful career development among students.