CAREER CHOICE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NASARAWA STATE : A STUDY OF NASARAWA STATE POLYTECHNIC, LAFIA.

Choice of career has been considered to be a crucial decision, made by youths and students of tertiary institutions. Therefore, any mistake at this point may have grievous consequences for them. This research takes a look at the effects of wrong choice of career on the academic performance among students of tertiary institutions in Nasarawa state,using Nasarawa State Polytechnic,Lafia as a study point. The sampling method adopted for the study is simple random; one hundred students were selected in the study area. The data for the study were collected through the use of questionnaire and they were presented, with the use of simple percentage and frequency table. The research reveals that majority of the students have no prior knowledge of the courses they entered for or admitted to study, and they would have done better in their studies, if they had earlier access to career guidance and properly guided. The study therefore recommends among other that guidance and counseling should be well organized in all schools and it must be accessible to students and priority should be given to personal interests of students while choosing career.