ABSTRACT
This study investigated the influence of peer pressure on the career choice of secondary school students, using senior secondary schools in Oredo local government area of Edo state as a case study. In the course of this study, the descriptive survey research design chosen for the study and simple random techniques were used to get the respondents and data for the survey.
A total of one hundred and twenty respondents were used as the sample study size. The instrument was validated and tested for reliability. Responses from the questionnaires were used to answer the four research questions that were raised to guide the study. From the findings, it was discovered that peer pressure has an influence on the career choice of students, peer groups is one of the major determinant of students career choice, male and female students react differently to peer pressure when choosing a career. However, majority of the students need to receive first hand training and orientation in making a career choice, parents, teachers and the school management should guide the students in making a career choice rather than leaving them to their peers opinion alone.
Based on the findings, the study recommended amongst others; the proper guidance of students by their teacher as regards their career choice. Also, parents should know the kind of friends their children move with because their friends opinion has a significant influence on the children career choice.
