INFLUENCE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SERVICES ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ CAREER CHOICE AND SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT IN AKOKO SOUTH WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE.

The study investigated the influence of guidance and counselling services on secondary school students’ career choice and school adjustment in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State. To guide the study, three research questions were raised while two hypotheses were formulated. Descriptive research design of survey type was adopted for the study. The sample for the study consisted of 200 respondents. The research questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages while the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using t-test and ANOVA. Finally of the study revealed that there was a moderate prevalence correlation between guidance and counselling services on secondary school students’ career choice and school adjustment in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State. The findings highlight the positive impact of these services in promoting career decision-making, self-awareness, and satisfaction among students. The implications of this study calls for the development of comprehensive programs, enhance that would the professional development for guidance counsellors, and collaborative efforts among educational institutions and external stakeholders. Future research can further explore the long-term impact, cultural factors, and conduct comparative studies to advance our understanding of the influence of guidance and counselling services on student’s choice of career and school adjustment among secondary school students in Akoko South West Local Government of Ondo State. The study therefore recommended that the Develop and strengthen guidance and counselling programs: Educational institutions should allocate resources to develop comprehensive guidance and counselling programs that address the specific career development needs of secondary school students. These programs should provide individualized support, offer a range of career resources, and promote collaboration among students, guidance counsellors, teachers, and parents. Enhance professional development for guidance counsellors: Continuous professional development opportunities should be provided for guidance counsellors to update their knowledge and skills in career guidance. Training programs should focus on understanding diverse career paths, utilizing effective assessment tools, and staying updated with current career trend and opportunities. Foster partnerships with external stakeholders: Collaboration with external stakeholders, such as industry professionals, higher education institutions, and community organizations, can provide students with valuable exposure to real-world career experiences. Establishing mentorship programs, internships, and career fairs can enhance students' understanding of various career options and help them make informed choice. Finally, it is recommended that parent should know the types of friend their children are company with an advice them from accompanying with bad group.