Influence Of Guidance And Counselling In Career Choice Of Secondary School Students
[EKITI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE]

Moreover, Gesinde’s (1978) study showed that gender plays an important role in determining the career preferences of students. Other research findings which support gender differences in career preferences and choices include the works of Yuh (1980) who in her study of some correlates of vocational orientations of some Nigerian Secondary students discovered that significantly, more male students preferred realistic, investigative and enterprising careers than females.
    Thus, the problem of the study is that some secondary school students are not able to make appropriate career ch1oices due to a number of factors that affect their career development process. This study investigated the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices among the secondary school student in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Research questions
    The following research questions are generated for the study which the researcher intends to answer:
(1)    What is the influence of guidance and counselling on career choice of secondary school students?  
(2)    Is there any significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of sex?
(3)    Is there any significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of class level?
(4)    Is there any significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of age?
(5)    Is there any significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of religion?
Research Hypotheses
    From the questions stated above, the following null hypotheses have been formulated: 
(1)    There is no significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of sex.
(2)    There is no significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of class level.
(3)    There is no significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of age.
(4)    There is no significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of religion.
Purpose of the Study
    The purpose of the study is to investigate the view of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices. In the course of this research work, variables such as age, religion, sex and class levels are considered whether they have direct significant impacts on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices as expressed by the respondents.
Significance of the Study
    This study is highly imperative to the secondary school students because it will enable them to know various career choices in our contemporary world. In other words, it will enlighten and sensitize them on various career options and determinants of careers choices in our society. Therefore, the problem of wrong and ill-informed career choices will be addressed, because the students will be more informed and sensitized by this empirical study.
    Moreover, this study will be highly useful to the school administrators in the area of planning and curricular development in schools. It will enlighten them on the relevance and importance of guidance and counselling on career choices among the students in secondary schools. Therefore, emphasis will be placed on guidance and counselling as an important mechanism for career guidance and development.
    Subsequently, this study is fundamental because it will enlighten the parents on various career options for their children or wards ad various determinants of career choices. This will enable them to properly guide their children and wards towards making an informed career option or choice because teachers or school counsellor cannot do it alone; it is a collective responsibility.
    Lastly, this study is highly imperative to the Ministry of Education in their formulation of career guidance programs for the secondary school students, such programs may include sponsoring workshops, classes, focus groups and special presentations that focus on job skills and personal development. Also, job shadowing arrangement, work placement and community based learning programs.