FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER CHOICE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IJEBU EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of the study is to examine the factors influencing career choice of senior secondary school students in Ijebu East local government area of Ogun State. Four research questions were raised for this study: what specific role do schools counsellors play in assisting students make career choice? To what extent do environmental factors influence career choice among students in secondary school in Ijebu Ife? To what extent do factors of personality influence career choice among students in secondary school in Ijebu Ife? To what extent do factors of opportunity influence career choice among students in secondary school in Ijebu Ife? Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprises of senior secondary schools’ students in some selected Secondary Schools in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. The estimated population of the senior students was two thousand nine hundred (2900). The sample for the study consists of One Hundred and Twenty (120) students was drawn from five (5) secondary schools in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. The simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the schools from the selected schools in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. The students were picked through purposive sampling technique. The major findings of the study revealed guidance and counselling, students\ aptitude, ability and interest are important determinants of career choice. Peer group and parents  should not affect students in their choice of career aspirations. Teachers as well as counsellors should intensify effort in determining students’ career choice. From the study it was recommended that guidance and counselling services should be provided in all schools to guide students’ subject combination and all subject teachers should be made available for all the schools. The policy on education known as 6 – 3 – 3 – 4 system is commendable. This policy it vigorously pursued will diversity the socio-economic of this country and help create a sense of dignity of labour among young school leavers.