CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Generally, researchers have investigated issues relating to aspects of career choice by teenagers (Breakwell, 1988; Dick & Rallis, 1991; Jawitz, 2000; Woolnough, 1994). Southwick (2000), for example: observes the trend toward a decline in graduate enrolments in health-related fields, as well as science and engineering, having recorded enrolment decline from 1993-1997, after four decades of annual increases. A continuing decline of admissions in these areas may lead to a shortage of skilled health and science workers and this could ultimately hurt the society. Palmer (2005) also observes the reduction in the numbers and calibre of students seeking admissions into engineering education in Australia. Poor image of the engineering profession generally and the poor understanding of engineering in schools were identified as contributing reasons for this situation.
In Nigeria, many youths make wrong career choices due to ignorance, inexperience, peer pressure, advice from friends, parents and teachers, or as a result of the prestige attached to certain jobs without adequate vocational guidance and career counseling (Salami, 1999). Consequently, many of them are unsuited for their careers, as they usually find themselves in jobs that do not satisfy their value needs. When this occurs, they constitute nuisance to themselves and their employers. They are usually unable to contribute meaningfully to the society, and they ultimately become liability to the nation.
Burke and Peter (1992) argue, however, that it is "clear that students come to the courses with, sometimes, vague expectations, often based on outdated ideas of what the library profession involves, or with a fixed intention to follow down a specific road".
It has been observed that entrants into some Nigerian Universities showed that many of them would