Psychosocial Factors Influencing Career Choice Among Polytechnic Students in Enugu State

This study explores the psychosocial factors that influence career choice among students in polytechnic institutions in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Career decisions made during post-secondary education have long-term implications for individual economic outcomes and national workforce composition. Despite this importance, the psychosocial determinants of career choice in Nigerian polytechnic settings remain underexplored. The study employs a descriptive survey design, involving 260 National Diploma and Higher National Diploma students from the Institute of Management and Technology and Enugu State Polytechnic. The Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale and a researcher-developed psychosocial influences inventory were used as instruments. Data were analysed using multiple regression and factor analysis. Findings reveal that self-efficacy, parental influence, and peer role models are the three strongest predictors of career choice intentions, collectively accounting for a significant proportion of variance. Students from lower-income households placed higher weight on economic security and parental expectations, while students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds prioritised personal interest and self-actualisation. Gender emerged as a moderating variable, with female students reporting higher social approval concerns in career decision-making. These findings extend social cognitive career theory to the Nigerian polytechnic context. Career development counsellors in Enugu polytechnics are encouraged to facilitate structured self-exploration workshops that address both personal values and external social influences in career choice processes. Keywords: career choice, psychosocial factors, polytechnic students, Enugu State, career development.