1.1 Introduction
Guidance and counseling services refer to a range of interventions, programs, and resources provided in secondary schools to assist students in making informed decisions about their academic, personal, and career development. These services may include individual counseling, group workshops, career assessments, and academic planning sessions (American School Counselor Association, 2019). The pivotal role of guidance and counseling services in shaping the career choices of secondary school students cannot be overstated. In today's dynamic and competitive world, adolescents face a myriad of career options and challenges, making informed decision-making a crucial aspect of their educational journey. Guidance and counseling services in secondary schools encompass various activities aimed at assisting students in understanding their interests, abilities, and aspirations, and aligning them with suitable career paths.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Historically, career guidance in educational settings has evolved from a mere vocational orientation to a comprehensive process encompassing personal development, academic planning, and career exploration (Whiston & Rahardja, 2015). Secondary education marks a critical juncture in students' lives, where they transition from adolescence to young adulthood and begin contemplating their future career paths. The significance of this phase lies in the fact that the choices made during secondary school often shape individuals' academic and professional trajectories in the long term. Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex and competitive global landscape, the need for effective guidance and counseling services in secondary schools becomes imperative.
According to Parikh and Varma (2017), effective guidance and counseling programs provide students with opportunities for self-assessment, career exploration, and decision-making skills development. Through one-on-one counseling sessions, workshops, aptitude tests, and career fairs, students are exposed to diverse career options and equipped with the necessary tools to make informed choices (Parikh and Varma, 2017). The shift towards a holistic approach acknowledges the multifaceted nature of career decision-making, influenced not only by interests and abilities but also by personal values, societal expectations, and environmental factors. In this context, secondary school guidance and counseling programs serve as invaluable resources, providing students with the support and information necessary to navigate the complexities of career decision-making.
According to Gysbers & Moore (2016), research underscores the pivotal role of guidance and counseling services in addressing the diverse needs and challenges faced by secondary school students. Adolescents often grapple with issues such as identity formation, peer pressure, and academic stress, all of which can significantly impact their career aspirations and choices (Gysbers & Moore, 2016). Guidance counselors, equipped with specialized training and expertise, are uniquely positioned to offer personalized assistance, fostering self-awareness, resilience, and informed decision-making among students.
Trusty (2014) asserted that the growing emphasis on career readiness and workforce preparedness underscores the importance of integrating guidance and counseling interventions into secondary education curricula. In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements and evolving job markets, students require not only academic proficiency but also the ability to adapt to change, think critically, and pursue lifelong learning (Trusty, 2014). Guidance counselors play a vital role in facilitating this transition by providing career-related information, skill-building opportunities, and experiential learning experiences tailored to students' interests and aspirations.
Student guidance service is the assistance rendered to an academic student in making him or her understand himself and what is capable of doing. Students overlook the advice of the professional counselor regarding career choice in the interest of economic and social changes in the society. Most secondary school students are faced with the problem of choosing a career. This is due to mainly the lack of guidance and counseling services in the schools. Students face the problem individual differences and also face the problem of social changes.
The problem of unemployment faced by the Nigerian school leavers, coupled with the economic uncertainties which is aggravated by inadequate career information and thus makes students to lack knowledge in making career choice.
Guidance and counseling interventions play a crucial role in addressing the psychosocial factors that influence career decisions among adolescents. As highlighted by Akomolafe and Yusuf (2019), factors such as peer pressure, parental expectations, and socioeconomic background can significantly impact students' career choices. Guidance counselors serve as facilitators in helping students navigate these influences, empowering them to make decisions that align with their individual interests, values, and goals (Akomolafe and Yusuf, 2019).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to investigate the Influence of Guidance and Counseling Services on Career Choice in Secondary School in Enugu Education Zone.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that many secondary schools lack comprehensive guidance and counseling programs tailored to the diverse needs of students, leading to limited access to career-related information, resources, and support services (McDonough & Gelatt, 2019). This raises concerns about the effectiveness of existing initiatives in facilitating informed career decision-making among adolescents.
Additionally, despite the availability of guidance counselors in secondary schools, there is evidence to suggest that students underutilize counseling services due to stigma, lack of awareness, or misconceptions about the role of counselors (Anderson & Heyne, 2012). This raises questions about the accessibility and perceived relevance of counseling interventions in addressing students' career-related concerns.
Furthermore, the widespread implementation of guidance and counseling services in secondary schools, there is a paucity of research evaluating the effectiveness of these programs in enhancing students' career readiness, satisfaction, and long-term outcomes (Whiston et al., 2017). Investigating the impact of counseling interventions on students' career decision-making processes and trajectories is essential for informing evidence-based practices and policy initiatives. Addressing these problems requires a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics shaping the delivery and utilization of guidance and counseling services in secondary schools and their implications for students' career development outcomes.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Influence of Guidance and Counseling Services on Career Choice in Secondary School in Enugu Education Zone. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To find out the impact of guidance and counselling services in secondary school students in the area under study;
- To investigate the effects of career choice on the future of the secondary school students in the area under study;
- To explore the factors influencing the career choice of secondary school students in the area under study;
- To identify the career choice of the students in secondary schools of the area under study; and
- To suggest solutions to the problem based on the findings of the research.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Do you have guidance counsellor in your schools?
- Did most of your school teachers have a guide habit to the students?
- Do guidance counselling help to influence the students morally?
- Do students disregard the guidance counsellor in your school?
- What are the environmental factors that affect guidance services among students in the area under study?
- What are the opportunity and personality factors that affect guidance services among students in the area under study?
- What are the effects of career choice on the future of the secondary school students in the area under study?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant difference in environmental factors affecting Guidance and Counselling Services among government and private secondary school students.
- H1: There is a significant difference in environmental factors affecting Guidance and Counselling Services among government and private secondary school students.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant influence of guidance and counseling services on career choice among secondary school students.
- H1: There is a significant influence of guidance and counseling services on career choice among secondary school students.
Hypothesis Three
- H0: There is no significant difference in personality factors affecting Guidance and Counselling Services between government and private secondary school.
- H1: There is a significant difference in personality factors affecting Guidance and Counselling Services between government and private secondary school.
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings of the study will provide valuable insights for policymakers and educational administrators to develop and implement effective guidance and counseling programs in secondary schools. By understanding the factors that influence career choice among students, policymakers can allocate resources strategically and design interventions that better meet students' needs (Perera & DiGiacomo, 2017).
Furthermore, career development plays a crucial role in students' overall academic and personal success. By investigating the impact of guidance and counseling services on career choice, the study can contribute to the development of interventions that foster students' self-awareness, goal-setting, and decision-making skills, ultimately leading to improved academic performance and well-being (Whiston & Keller, 2004).
The study also adds to the body of research on career development in secondary education settings, providing valuable insights into the factors influencing students' career choices. Researchers can build upon this knowledge to further explore the mechanisms through which guidance and counseling services impact career development outcomes and to develop innovative approaches to support students' career exploration and decision-making processes (Gibbons et al., 2018).
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Influence of Guidance and Counseling Services on Career Choice in Secondary School in Enugu Education Zone.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definitions of Terms
Career:
In this contest, career simply means the sequence of occupations, vocation, job and aspiration that one goes through, throughout ones working life.
Guidance:
Guidance is derived from the word guide. It is the assistance rendered to an individual in making him or her understand himself and what is capable of doing.
Counselling:
This is concerned with creating opportunity and suitable environment for the persona, social, education and vocational development. It deals with the effective side of the individual based attitudes about the value and worth of human being.
Value:
Value deals with the quality of being useful or important. It also belief about what is right or wrong and what is important for human in life.
Techniques:
Techniques has to do with the act of improving a lot over a particular skill, especially one in which you have to learn special skills. Techniques help the students by developing morally and intellectually.
