Influence of Parents and Peers on Career Decision-Making Among Secondary School Students: Counselling Implication for Sustainable Global Balance

This study investigated parents, peers and career decision making among secondary school students. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of all secondary school students in Ondo metropolis. Random sampling technique was used to select forty (40) senior class students from five secondary schools, making total of two hundred (200) students. Structured questionnaire was used as instrument to collect data for the study. Data collected were analysed using mean and rank order. The results showed that parents and peers have influence on career decision making of secondary school students. It was therefore recommended that Parents Teachers Association (PTA) forum should be used as a medium of enlightening parents on desisting from forcing any career on their children or wards. Students should be counselled on not following their peers blindly in choosing their career. Government should ensure that all schools (both private and public) have Guidance Counsellor who will guide the students in choosing career that matches their ability, personality and interest. School counsellors should do their best in giving appropriate career counselling to students. School management should collaborate with Guidance Counsellor to organise career day annually for students. Lastly, no school subject should be relegated to the background so that each student will have the opportunity to choose subjects related to their course or career of interest and potential.