Perceived Challenges of Pursuing Human Resource Management as a Career Among University Students in Nigeria

The strategic relevance of Human Resource Management HRM in contemporary organizations has increased, yet its attractiveness as a career among university students in Nigeria remains low. This study examined perceived challenges influencing students' decision to pursue HRM as a career. Anchored on Holland's Theory of Vocational Choice and Social Cognitive Career Theory, the study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. The population comprised 2,960 300-400 level students in HRM-related programmes across 12 selected universities including Achievers University, University of Ilesa, University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Adeleke University, Kola Daisi University, Bayero University Kano, University of Abuja, Edusoko University, University of Benin, Benson Idahosa University, and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University. A sample of 352 was determined using Yamane's formula and selected through stratified and simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS 27 and Smart PLS 4 with 5,000 bootstrap resamples. Findings revealed high mean scores for perceived challenges: poor pay M=3.88, low prestige M=3.79, inadequate curriculum M=3.78, and career perception was low M=2.30. All six challenges had significant negative effects on career perception: poor pay β=-0.214, low prestige β=-0.212, curriculum β=-0.169, professional recognition β=-0.152, mentorship β=-0.151, and job opportunities β=-0.139, p<0.001, R²=0.277, Q²=0.184. The study concludes that contextual barriers significantly reduce HRM career intention and recommends curriculum reform, stronger CIPM regulation, and enhanced mentorship.