By Salim Sani Shehu
Improper carrier guidance and counselling is a challenge that is currently resulting to the wrong choices of most prospective undergraduate students.
This issue has resulted in a high number of students dropping out or changing courses after realizing that their initial choices were not suited to their interests or abilities.
The importance of proper carrier guidance and lectures cannot be overemphasized, as it plays a significant role in shaping the career path of students.
However many students in Nigeria lack access to quality carrier guidance and lectures, which has led to them making uninformed choices.
In an interaction with The Campus Watch, Maryam Ahmed, shared her testimony. She said, “I chose to study Medicine in university because it was what my parents wanted for me, but I soon realized that it was not what I wanted for myself. I struggled with the course and eventually had to drop out. I wish I had access to proper carrier guidance and lectures to help me make an informed decision.”
Likewise, Musa Yusuf, pointed that, “I had no idea what I wanted to study, so I chose a course based on the advice of my friends. I realized after a few months that it was not what I wanted, but I had already invested time and resources. I wish I had access to proper carrier guidance and lectures to help me make the right choice.”
Experts have attributed the lack of proper carrier guidance and lectures to a lack of investment in the education sector. Many schools and universities in Nigeria do not have adequate resources and personnel to provide students with quality carrier guidance and lectures.
This has led to a situation where students are left to make important decisions about their careers based on inadequate information.
To address this issue, there is a need for the government and education stakeholders to invest more in the education sector.
This, should include the provision of adequate resources and personnel to provide students with quality carrier guidance and lectures. Schools and universities should also collaborate with career experts and professionals to provide students with practical information about different career paths.
Furthermore, parents and guardians should also play a role in guiding their children in making informed career choices. They should encourage their children to pursue careers based on their interests, abilities, and aptitudes rather than societal expectations or pressure.
He lack of proper carrier guidance and lectures is a significant challenge facing students in Nigeria. It is crucial that the government, education stakeholders, parents, and guardians work together to provide students with the necessary resources and information to make informed decisions about their careers.