THE ROLE OF ACADEMIC ADVISORS ON FUTURE CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIAN HIGHER INSTITUTION

Abstract

The focus of this study is on the Role of Academic Advisors on Future Career Development in Nigerian Tertiary Institution. Three research questions guided the study. The design used in this study was a descriptive survey. The population of the study comprises all staff of AIFUE Owerri, giving a total of 750 staff. A total of 266respondents were sampled for this study using the Taro Yamane sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a structured Questionnaire by the researchers titled Questionnaire on The Role of Academic Advisors on Future Career Development (QRAAFCD). The instrument was validated by experts in Guidance 
and Counseling and Measurement and Evaluation all from Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha Statistics and a value index of 0.75 was obtained. Data collected was analyzed using mean statistics and standard deviation. The findings revealed that exploring the career potentials of students, providing academic assistance, =planning appropriate course schedules, and sharing knowledge, experience and insight are the most relevant importance of academic advisors in the career development of students in AIFUE, Owerri. It was recommended among others that 
government should design educational policy that will accommodate a compulsory course in academic advising to all University students. More so, ministry of education needs to review the curriculum of schools and make improvements to accommodate career/skills acquisition activities.