Exploring career counseling interventions and Nigerian Universities students' career decision-making in an era of depressed economy

Abstract

The depressed economy has heightened the need for effective career counseling interventions in Nigerian Universities. This study explored career counseling interventions and Nigerian Universities students' career decision-making, addressing the dearth of research in this context. The researchers employed an analytical method to discuss and analyze the issues raised in the research which include the impact of economic downturn on career choices, the role of career counselors in enhancing career decision-making, and the challenges of delivering career counseling services in a resource-constrained environment. The findings indicated that career counseling interventions significantly improved students' career decision-making, thus demonstrating increased career confidence and clarity. Unlike previous studies, this research highlighted the importance of contextualizing career counseling interventions within Nigeria's unique economic landscape. The study's findings have significant implications for policymakers, educators, and practitioners seeking to support students' career development in resource-constrained environments. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that Universities should reemphasize the integration of career counseling services into their curricu