EFFECTIVE CAREER COUNSELLING AMONG IN–SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS AS CORRELATE OF CAREER ADJUSTMENT AND YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARENESS IN IMO STATE

Abstract

The study investigated the correlation or relationship among effective career counselling, career adjustment and youth entrepreneurship awareness of in-schooladolescents in secondary institutions in Imo State. Five research questions were formulated, and three hypotheses postulated. The sample was made up of three hundred SS3 in -school adolescents (students) drawn from the three senatorial zones of Imo State, using random sampling technique. Data were collected using the researcher‟s designed questionnaire entitled “Career Counselling, Career Adjustment and Youth Entrepreneurship Awareness Scale”. The instrument was validated by five experts to ensure validity in the area of content, simplicity and clarity of language. The reliability was r-0.83.data analysis adopted the mean scores and standard deviation in answering research questions and Pearson Product Moment Coefficient was used to establish the relationship between the independent variable and dependent variables at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed low level of effective career counselling (mean = 2.30 and SD = 1.19) and youth entrepreneurship awareness (mean= 2.25 and SD = 1.19). However, the finding showed that level of career adjustment ismoderate (mean = 2.74 and SD = 1.06). Further, the findings revealed positive relationship between the independent variable (effective career counselling) (r =0.783 p < 0.05) and (r = 0.442 p < 0.05) to career adjustment and entrepreneurship awareness. This means that career counselling can enhance the dependent variables. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that functional counselling units should be established in schools and qualified counsellors should be engaged in the schools. These would make career counselling worthwhile and go a long way to making youth empowerment and entrepreneurship achievable in Nigeria, including Imo State.