Al-Hikmah University Journal

The study investigated influence of parents on choice of career among senior secondary students’ in Minna Metropolis of Niger State. The relative influence of variables such as parents’ level of education, parents’ occupation and family types were examined using four objectives, one research question and three hypotheses. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population for the study comprised of 4,658 students of (SSII) in Minna Metropolis with a sample size of 200 drawn using simple random, stratified, proportionate and random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured questionnaires tagged “Influence of Parents on Choice of Career among Senior Secondary School Students Questionnaire (IPCCSSSQ)”. Face and content validity of the instrument was established and the reliability coefficient of 0.82 was obtained to ensure consistency of the instrument. Data was analyzed using percentage and frequency, mean and rank order and One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for all hypotheses that were tested at 0.05 alpha level. Findings of the study revealed that parents’ encouragement to students on making good career decisions, parents informing students about specific careers, and parents’ encouragement to students on considering different education and career options were significant influences of parents’ choice of career among senior secondary students in the Minna Metropolis. The research hypotheses tested revealed that there were no significant differences in the parental influence on choice of career among senior secondary school students in Minna Metropolis based on parents’ level of education, occupation and family type. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that school guidance counsellors should organize a meaningful career programme that will help to educate both parents and students on the career choice.