Malezya'daki Dişhekimliği Öğrencilerinin Kısa Dönem Kariyer Hedefleri: Yeni İstihdam Politikası Sonrası

Abstract

It is important to revisit career aspirations of emerging dental graduates for a better workforce flexibility due to dynamic changes in employment policies for Malaysia. The aims of this study are to explore current students’ short career aspirations and the perceived influences, and whether their aspirations vary according to students’ characteristics. All final year dental students who registered in 2017/2018 academic year in International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) were invited to participate in a self-administered questionnaire (n=64). The instrument explored the students’ motivation, short and long-term career aspirations and influences using mixture of open and closed-questions. Data were analysed using SPSS, including Chi-Squared test for linear association. The response rate was very high (97%). The majority were aged 25 years (63%), female (71%), all Malays and come from high-income families (38%). In regard to their short-term aspiration, the participants mostly chose ‘gain knowledge/skill/experience’ (39%); followed by ‘undertaking specialist training’ (27%) and ‘getting a permanent job’ (20%). ‘Achieving financial stability’ (80.6%), ‘gaining professional experience’ (80.6%), and ‘balance of work-life’ (73%) are their greatest influences. Notably, ‘having a break from study’ showed significant difference by family income (p=0.03). Furthermore, more male students anticipated to work in private sector (p=0.03). There is a shift with the most significant short-term career aspirations for these students to enhance knowledge, skill and experiences, rather than training for specialisation to secure financial and professional stability; and work-life balance. The students’ short-term career expectations varied based on the students’ family income and gender.