Gender and Field of Study as Determinants of Perceptions Regarding Employment Prospects Among Final Year Students: Case of a University of Technology in South Africa

Abstract

Since the introduction of the affirmative action policy in South Africa to promote employment among the previously disadvantaged groups in society, there is dearth of empirical data on its effects on perceptions of employment after graduation among male and female students from one race group, studying at other types of institutions called Universities of Technology (UoTs). The objective of the study was to investigate the extent to which gender and field of study differences exist among black male and female final year students’ perceptions regarding their employment prospects. The sample consisted of 103 black male and 95 black female students from a UoT, who were about to complete their Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) degrees in Accounting (n = 56), Human Resource Management (HR) (n = 82) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (n = 60). A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data. The results showed some differences in gender and field of study regarding determinants of employment perceptions, perceptions regarding the importance of different job-seeking behaviours, as well as perceptions regarding prospects of employment upon completion of studies. The study concludes that black male and female students’ perceptions of employment as beneficiaries of the South African government’s affirmative action employment policies need to be understood in the context of their job seeking behaviours. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p3017