Students have been urged to resist parental pressure, peer influence and societal expectations when choosing careers, with educationists stressing the need for self-discovery and professional counselling to help young people make informed decisions about their futures.

The Government College Ibadan Old Boys’ Association (GCIOBA) and university dons advised the association’s 2026 Career Day Expo and University Admission Seminar held at Government College Ibadan, Oyo State.

They warned that choosing careers based on popular trends, financial considerations, or other people’s expectations could lead students into paths that do not align with their abilities and interests.

Speaking at the event, Dr Oluwafemi Oyemakin, an Associate Professor at the University of Ibadan and chairman of GCIOBA’s Ibadan branch, called for increased investment in school counselling services to help students identify their strengths and make informed career decisions.

Oyemakin, who is also Deputy Chairman of the association’s Teacher Support Committee, said education should provide experiences that shape individual development, adding that students needed opportunities to discover who they wanted to become rather than live according to other people’s expectations.

To illustrate the importance of letting young people explore their interests, he recounted how his daughter’s school assessed her aspirations and found that she wanted to become a medical doctor, contrary to his expectation that she might pursue dancing or singing.

He said the experience reinforced the need for parents and schools to listen to young people and support their individual ambitions.

Similarly, Taiwo Demuren, chairman of GCIOBA’s United States branch, said the initiative was designed to help students understand their strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations while exploring available career opportunities.

He said the programme targeted students in Junior Secondary School Three and Senior Secondary School One to Three, providing them with access to professionals and other stakeholders who could guide them on career choices and university admission requirements.

Speaking on “Future-Proof: Building a Career Path That Survives Change,” Dr Deborah Demuren urged parents to nurture their children’s abilities rather than impose career choices on them.

She advised parents to support and motivate their children, allowing them to explore their strengths as they prepare for a changing employment landscape.

Another speaker, Akinola Morakinyo of the 2019 set, urged SS2 students to understand their abilities, recognise their strengths and weaknesses, pursue excellence and develop good character and interpersonal relationships.

Speaking on “Discover Your Future, Dream It, Plan It, Become It,” Morakinyo cautioned students against distractions and emphasised the importance of managing their attention and building meaningful relationships.

“Government College Ibadan already gives you access, but your character will sustain that access,” he told the students.