Influence of Parental Involvement on Career Development and Decision Making of Secondary School Students in Kogi Central

Abstract

Career success or failure and its consequences such as its satisfaction or dissatisfaction depend on how appropriately students choose their field of study and subject combinations particularly at the secondary school level hence the need for parental guidance. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, a combination of qualitative and quantitative research, the study examines the influence of parental involvement on career development and decision making among secondary students in Kogi central. Data used were collected through interviews and 150 questionnaires administered to parents and students in the selected schools in the area. The findings revealed that wrong subject combinations and uniformed career choice often result in frequent career changes, prolonged future job searches and career dissatisfaction. While career choice is generally viewed as a personal decision, the study confirmed that parents significantly influence students’ career paths. Through parental support, guidance and encouragement, students are better positioned to make informed careers choices with greater employment and job potentials. Parental involvement enhances students’ awareness of future career pathways, making education more purposeful and improving their chances of academic and career success. Thus, the study recommended active parent engagement in educational and career planning – without imposing specific career choices to the students.