Career Considerations Research Articles

A Moral Dilemma of “Selling Out”: Race, Class, and Career Considerations among Elite College Students

Abstract Research on occupational choice focuses on individualistic work values and emphasizes economic returns. Drawing from 62 in-depth interviews with Asian, Black, and White first-generation, low-income (FGLI), and middle-class students at an elite university, I argue that students’ career decisions comprise a moral dimension. How students contended with this dimension varied based on the intersection of their racial and class backgrounds. Specifically, patterns broadly align with two categories: contingent objections to certain high-prestige, high-paying careers arising from individual priorities or concern for social good, and linked obligations to broader collectivities, such as ethnoracial groups or families. While students across all racial and class backgrounds raised objections based on different individual priorities, FGLI students primarily mentioned objections based on the value of social good. Across class backgrounds, Asian and Black students more often cited obligations based on ethnoracial uplift compared to their White peers. Asian and Black FGLI students prioritized family contributions more strongly than their White FGLI counterparts. Paradoxically, some students used these evaluative logics to justify “selling out” in pursuit of high-prestige, high-paying jobs, whereas others used these justifications to reject them. This study furthers understanding of the cultural processes behind social inequalities and highlights how the intersection of race and class shapes moral understandings.

Mid-career outcomes of doctoral graduates from German universities explained through triadic thought

ABSTRACT This article critically examines the early career experiences and mid-career outcomes of domestic and international doctoral graduates from public German universities in the social sciences and humanities over two decades. We develop triadic thought as a spatial theory to conceptualise professional careers as situated coproductions in the complex interplay of career considerations, career praxis, and career environments. Drawing on qualitative interviews and the analysis of mid-career outcomes, our theoretically informed findings identify three formative influences on career decisions: first, the discursive normalisation of an academic career; second, the practical normalisation of shifting career goals; and third, the material normalisation of a public sector habitus. To mitigate the reinforcement of a congested academic labour market and striking tensions between individual career challenges and systemic benefits of temporary jobs for institutional and national productivity, we encourage a Bologna-style reform to create compatible academic career structures within Europe.

How spatial considerations figure into aspiration formation and agency

As young people near the end of compulsory schooling they are faced with decisions about what future education, training and employment they will pursue. This paper argues that imagined future education, training and career prospects can have largely under-recognised socio-spatial dimensions. This claim disrupts received notions around careers decision-making as distinctly rational, based on academic strengths, skills, or talents. This spatial argument follows from a theoretically-informed analysis of interviews conducted with 15 young people living in England. Sampling was opportunitistic and the design flexible to enable me to explore the use of different methods which could foreground reflections on space and place. Interviews employed visual methods (including photo voice) to prompt young people to talk about their conceptualisations of places and spaces as well as future education, training and career considerations. Focusing in particular on three participants’ reflections, I suggest that through a process of emplacement young people are constructing thirdspaces, a concept proposed by Soja. This process both supports aspiration formation and disrupts imposed structures or labels that might otherwise be deterministic of particular post-16 pathways and subjectivities. For three participants, I consider the ways their conceptions of spaces are implicit responses to cultural expectations, limitations and structures. These three participants are presented as developing what Yosso has called spatially-informed navigational and resistant capitals. Claims are made in the context of an analysis framed by an interpretation of agency in terms of the identity and implied subjectivities. The process by which a young person emplaces themselves in a possible future and the construction of imagined thirdspaces could be untapped cultural resources informing young people’s post-16 decisions and planning which could lead them to build future pathways they themselves value.

Exploring Motivating Factors for Pursuing Radiation Oncology: A Comparative Analysis of Medical Students and Residents.

Purpose Increasing medical student (MS) interest in radiation oncology (RO) is important to meet the rising demand for radiation oncologists. Understanding the factors that drive MS to pursue RO is crucial. This study compares motivating factors between MS and RO residents to inform interventions to increase recruitment and sustained interest in the specialty. Methods Data from two similar studies investigating factors motivating MS and residents to pursue RO were analyzed. The first study surveyed Canadian RO residents to characterize enablers when applying for RO residency. The second study analyzed application essays from MS applying to an RO studentship. A mixed methods approach was used to compare themes ("career aspects,""prior exposure," and "personal experiences") between the datasets. Results Qualitative analysis demonstrated that both MS and residents identified "career aspects" as the most common theme facilitating interest in RO careers. "Multidisciplinary work" and "direct clinical contact and patient care" were prominent sub-themes. MS emphasized "serious illness and palliative care" and "advanced technology,"while residents prioritized RO as a "rewarding career.""Prior exposure,"particularly through shadowing/observerships, was more important for MS than residents who valued clinical experiences. Practical career considerations including "mentorship" and "career satisfaction and lifestyle" were significant motivators for residents. Conclusion MS value content-based aspects of RO and emphasize shadowing. In contrast, RO residents prioritize lifestyle-based considerations. These differences highlight the opportunity for intervention throughout medical training to sustain interest in RO and facilitate applications to RO residency programs.

Concerns, Perceptions, and Career Considerations of Female Medical Students Interested in Neurosurgery: A Qualitative Case Study

Neurosurgery exhibits notably lower representation of Black, Hispanic, and female surgeons compared to various other medical and surgical specialties. Existing research focuses on medical students' views on surgeons, factors influencing female medical students' preferences in surgical fields, and the perceived interests and concerns of students contemplating a career in neurosurgery. However, there is a significant gap in understanding the unique concerns and perspectives of female medical students interested in neurosurgery. Semistructured interviews with female medical students were recruited from medical schools in the District of Columbia area. Interview questions were based on Lent and Brown's Social Cognitive Career Theory. Transcripts were analyzed thematically into codes. In total, 8 female medical students from our institution participated. We identified 3 major themes that influenced medical students decision-making: sense of belonging (diversity, mentorship, and passionate), self-efficacy (ambitious/"gunner," intense/competitive), and outcome expectations (innovation/research, immediate impact, procedural/surgical aspect, salary, and work-life balance). Female medical students face distinct challenges and factors to consider when choosing a career in neurological surgery. The biggest concern for female students was a sense of belonging. It is imperative to enhance the diversity within the neurosurgical specialty and boost the representation of female neurosurgeons. Early interventions designed to tackle and alleviate their specific concerns are pivotal in achieving this goal.

Explaining research performance: investigating the importance of motivation

In this article, we study the motivation and performance of researchers. More specifically, we investigate what motivates researchers across different research fields and countries and how this motivation influences their research performance. The basis for our study is a large-N survey of economists, cardiologists, and physicists in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK. The analysis shows that researchers are primarily motivated by scientific curiosity and practical application and less so by career considerations. There are limited differences across fields and countries, suggesting that the mix of motivational aspects has a common academic core less influenced by disciplinary standards or different national environments. Linking motivational factors to research performance, through bibliometric data on publication productivity and citation impact, our data show that those driven by practical application aspects of motivation have a higher probability for high productivity. Being driven by career considerations also increases productivity but only to a certain extent before it starts having a detrimental effect.

UNRAVELING THE COMPLEXITIES OF CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE: A CONVERSATION WITH DR. PETER MCCULLOUGH (PT-BR VERSION)

Background: This interview covers Dr. Peter McCullough's medical career, experience as an editor of medical journals, and his expertise in areas such as cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and pericarditis. Aims: The primary aim is to understand Dr. McCullough's perspectives on various medical topics, including his journey as a cardiologist, the importance of peer review, the phenomenon of Pheidippides cardiomyopathy, the differences between myocarditis and pericarditis, and the significance of ethical principles like the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki. Additionally, the interview aims to explore his concerns about censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The interview follows a question-and-answer format, with the interviewer posing questions to Dr. McCullough on various topics related to his medical career, research interests, and ethical considerations. Results: Dr. McCullough shares his insights on topics such as cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and pericarditis, emphasizing the importance of peer review, identifying potential biases, and balancing scientific rigor with timely dissemination of findings. He also highlights the significance of the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki in ensuring informed consent and preventing coercion in medical research and treatment. Discussion: Dr. McCullough expresses concerns about censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he believes impacted the ability of medical professionals to freely discuss and disseminate health-related information. He also discusses the potential role of COVID-19 vaccines in causing myocarditis and the need for transparent communication about treatment options and potential complications. Conclusion: The interview provides valuable insights from Dr. McCullough's extensive medical experience and expertise, covering a range of topics from cardiovascular conditions to ethical principles and the challenges posed by censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using musical acoustics to motivate math learning

A course on musical acoustics, at the high school or introductory college level, can be an effective vehicle for improving student math skills. More importantly, it provides an opportunity to develop an appreciation for the utility of mathematics among skeptical students, including those from groups, such as women and minorities, who have historically been steered away from quantitative studies. Having an answer for the rhetorical “What is math good for?” can boost a student's motivation for learning math and open the door to consideration of STEM careers. This presentation gives an overview of how math skills are explicitly addressed throughout a 10-week (one quarter) general education course, “Physics of Musical Sound,” taught at Central Washington University. Examples of specific in-class exercises will be described, as well as how math is incorporated into collaborative term projects. A discussion will be provided of what has worked, and not worked, throughout 25 years of teaching this course.

Draw to Practice: A Qualitative Study Examining Factors Attracting Physicians to Rural Northern Ontario.

Introduction Physician shortages are a persisting issue in rural regions around the world, and rural Northern Ontario, Canada, is no exception. Even with significant government interventions, financial incentives, and rural-specific contracts, physician recruitment to the region remains an ongoing challenge. Refining recruitment strategies based on specific factors that attract physicians to rural practice could help address staffing shortages and, ultimately, enhance healthcare access and outcomes in rural communities. However, the draw to rural practice among physicians is poorly defined. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this knowledge gap and, in doing so, offers insight to better inform recruitment strategies for rural communities. Methodology As part of a larger qualitative study on physician retention and recruitment, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 physicians who had previously practiced in rural Northern Ontario communities. Interviews captured information about their individual experiences, including perspectives on factors that attracted them to establish a practice in rural Northern Ontario. Transcribed interviews were analyzed to identify recurring themes associated with the factors that affect the decision to practice in rural Northern Ontario. Results Participants described the draw to rural practice as being multifactorial and based on overlapping motivations. Key motivations described by participants could be categorized into three broad themes, including rural community connection and exposure, lifestyle and personal preferences, and career considerations. Specifically, participants emphasized the importance of pro-rural mentors and gaining firsthand experience in rural communities as important facilitators that created a connection with these areas. Interest in exploring new parts of the country, alignment with life plans, support of family, and the challenge of rural practice also played pivotal roles in the decision to pursue rural practice. Finally, the opportunity to have a broad scope of practice and serve a need in the healthcare system while receiving fair compensation within the framework of a flexible and supportive contract was also cited as a draw to practice. Conclusion The draw to rural practice is multifactorial and based on a wide array of motivations. As a result, recruitment strategies should move beyond single-pronged approaches and recognize the need to design strategies that address the multifaceted motivations and considerations that drive physicians towards rural practice. Designing and implementing recruitment approaches that consider the diverse factors influencing physicians interest in rural career paths is likely to enhance recruitment initiatives and more effectively address shortage of physicians in the region.

Social Egg Freezing for Single Women in China: Legal and Ethical Controversies.

Social egg freezing is an emerging topic in China, where single women currently face restrictions in accessing this service at medical facilities. Administrative regulations prohibit single women from accessing all forms of assisted reproductive technologies. Both the first lawsuit filed by a single woman seeking to freeze her eggs and a legislative proposal aiming to protect single women's rights to access assisted reproductive technologies were denied. This has sparked controversy and discussion about the reproductive rights of single women and the legitimacy of their access to medical and technical assistance. Laws and family planning policies related to women's reproductive rights in China have undergone dramatic changes in recent years, owing to shifts in population growth trends and societal attitudes toward marriage and childbirth, subsequently leading to a notable enhancement in women's reproductive autonomy. Meanwhile, factors such as marital status and career considerations have led to a delay in childbearing, triggering a growing need and advocacy for fertility preservation among single women. In China, the pursuit of social egg freezing by single women comes into conflict with the strict regulatory restrictions on assisted reproductive technologies. This study delves into the profound impacts of demographic changes, marital trends, fertility culture, and other social factors on female fertility in China. It also discusses the legislative issues and medical-social ethical concerns associated with the application of social egg freezing for single women. Additionally, this study offers regulatory suggestions aimed at enhancing women's reproductive health and autonomy, as well as the avoidance of potential ethical risks.

Do communicators take over? Mediatization and conflicts in civil society

AbstractThe article investigates internal strategies and struggles in civil society organizations' (CSOs') policy advocacy work from the vantage point of policy professionals by using the concepts of field, symbolic capital, and logics. A main claim is that mediatization acts as a strategic‐tension mechanism within a CSO, putting communicators at the center of policy units, which in turn is consequential for the strategies chosen for the organization's policy work. In this way, mediatization as a process celebrates certain professionals and strategies as particularly relevant, creating frustration among employees not specializing in communication. The study identifies a trend for organizations to put more resources and influence into communication and less into actual policy analysis. This article combines research on organizational logics, policy professionals, and mediatization by drawing on 38 interviews with, and ethnographic work among, policy professionals in Sweden, Latvia, and the Netherlands.Related ArticlesSelling, Niels, and Stefan Svallfors. 2019. “The Lure of Power: Career Paths and Considerations among Policy Professionals in Sweden.” Politics & Policy 47(5): 984–1012. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12325.Svallfors, Stefan. 2016. “Out of the Golden Cage: PR and the Career Opportunities of Policy Professionals.” Politics & Policy 44(1): 56–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12149.Svallfors, Stefan, Erica Falkenström, Corrie Hammar, and Anna T. Höglund. 2022. “Networked Reports: Commissioning and Production of Expert Reports on Swedish Health Care Governance.” Politics & Policy 50(3): 580–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12462.

Career development in management accounting: empirical evidence

PurposeDue to globalization and digitalization, the world of work is undergoing comprehensive change. These trends are challenging management accounting (MA) and pressuring individuals and organizations to change. The literature postulates a replacement of traditional organizational careers by “new” career models characterized by dynamism and flexibility. However, the state of the art on careers in MA lacks empirical evidence and has disparate research interests.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the authors investigate the status quo of careers in MA, key influencing factors and assumed change in such careers. To do so, the authors conducted a quantitative empirical study, based primarily on the careers of 83 graduates of a department offering a MA major at a German-speaking university. Nine qualitative empirical interviews supplement the quantitative findings.FindingsThe authors’ findings indicate that while MA careers are changing, the characteristics of the profession are continuing to concur with the traditional organizational understanding of careers. Accumulated professional experience is the key factor to achieving a management position although management accountants tend to become more dynamic in terms of career paths and career understanding. Thus, employment in various functional areas opens new career paths in MA.Research limitations/implicationsThe methodology of analysing quantitative and empirical cross-sectional data and the resulting final sample size is too small to guarantee robust statistical inference. Moreover, further interviews would lead to greater data saturation.Practical implicationsThe study sheds light on the under-researched question of how careers in MA proceed and develop. This could be of interest for practitioners working with management accountants such as personnel consultants.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the field through its comprehensive consideration of careers in MA in this changed context, thus providing new insights for academia and business practice.

Transwar Art in Japan

This article focuses on the question of periodisations in Japanese art history through a consideration of the long-running careers of four successful but politically and aesthetically diverse artists: Domon Ken (1909­­­­­­­­‒1990), Okamoto Tarō (1911‒1996), Yoshihara Jirō, and Katsura Yuki (1913‒1991). The arc of these artists careers across the prewar, war, and postwar periods upsets popular periodisations in Japan’s art history that assert the postwar as a time of rupture and renewal. My focus is meant to challenge this ‘postwar paradigm’ while elucidating these artist’s negotiation of ethics and plurality during drastically different political eras. How does a reading of their work reveal continuities before and after the war, and what are the political stakes of these continuities?

Leaving academia: PhD attrition and unhealthy research environments.

This study investigates PhD candidates' (N = 391) perceptions about their research environment at a Dutch university in terms of the research climate, (un)ethical supervisory practices, and questionable research practices. We assessed whether their perceptions are related to career considerations. We gathered quantitative self-report estimations of the perceptions of PhD candidates using an online survey tool and then conducted descriptive and within-subject correlation analysis of the results. While most PhD candidates experience fair evaluation processes, openness, integrity, trust, and freedom in their research climate, many report lack of time and support, insufficient supervision, and witness questionable research practices. Results based on Spearman correlations indicate that those who experience a less healthy research environment (including experiences with unethical supervision, questionable practices, and barriers to responsible research), more often consider leaving academia and their current PhD position.

The knowledge–management complex: From quality registries to national knowledge‐driven management in Swedish health care governance

AbstractThis article analyzes the emergence of the Swedish “national system for knowledge‐driven management.” We argue that the system is best understood as a meta‐instrument that is underpinned by an “instrument constituency,” a coalition held together by a joint interest in a particular policy solution. Based on interviews and documentary analyses, we show the conflicting interests that are included in the constituency and how the functional effectiveness of the meta‐instrument is exposed to a number of risks that follow from its specific implementation and from the heterogeneity among its constituency. In particular, we point to the threats against professional learning, responsibility, and integrity.Related ArticlesSelling, Niels, and Stefan Svallfors. 2019. “The Lure of Power: Career Paths and Considerations among Policy Professionals in Sweden.” Politics & Policy 47(5): 984–1012. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12325.Shen, Yongdong, Meng U. Ieong, and Zihang Zhu. 2022. “The Function of Expert Involvement in China's Local Policy Making.” Politics & Policy 50(1): 59–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12450.Svallfors, Stefan, Erica Falkenström, Corrie Hammar, and Anna T. Höglund. 2022. “Networked Reports: Commissioning and Production of Expert Reports on Swedish Health Care Governance.” Politics & Policy 50(3): 580–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12462.

Networked reports: Commissioning and production of expert reports on Swedish health care governance

AbstractThe article analyzes the commissioning and production of expert reports about Swedish health care management and governance. We show that these reports are rarely solitary stand‐alone products, but tend to form clusters in an evolving discourse centered around specific policy solutions. We also show that the most important producers of such reports tend to come from a small circle of informally recruited academics and policy experts representing a narrow segment of academic disciplines. We point to some of the risks involved in this structure of knowledge production and argue that reports: (a) may form their own environment rather than address real problems; (b) may reproduce certain taken‐for‐granted assumptions and critical lacunae; (c) may have their impact decided by their network connections rather than by their intellectual content; and (d) represent a structure that provides opportunities for special interests to enter the process.Related ArticlesCaliskan, Cantay. 2020. “The Influence of Elite Networks on Green Policy Making.” Politics & Policy 48(6): 1104–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12382Selling, Niels, and Stefan Svallfors. 2019. “The Lure of Power: Career Paths and Considerations among Policy Professionals in Sweden.” Politics & Policy 47(5): 984–1012. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12325Shen, Yongdong, Meng U. Ieong, and Zihang Zhu. 2022. “The Function of Expert Involvement in China's Local Policy Making.” Politics & Policy 50(1): 59–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12450

Workshop with medical students on physicians\u2019 earning opportunities, workload and job satisfaction increases the attractiveness of working self-employed and working in general practice

BackgroundAmong the various factors identified as relevant for primary care career choice, financial considerations have been consistently shown to have an impact. In Germany, reliable and easily understandable information on physicians’ earning opportunities in self-employed settings is difficult to obtain for medical students, leading to substantial misperceptions that may negatively affect respective career considerations. This study investigated medical students’ evaluation of a 45-min evidence-based workshop on earning opportunities, workload and job satisfaction in different specialties and settings to examine its effect on the perceived attractiveness of working self-employed and working in general practice.MethodsThe workshop was implemented as part of a mandatory general practice clerkship in the fourth study year (of six). Post-hoc evaluations of all participants between October 2017 and September 2018 (one cohort) were analysed cross-sectionally including descriptive statistics, subgroup comparisons and qualitative analysis of free-text answers regarding students’ main insights.ResultsResponse rate was 98.1% (307/313). Participants were on average 25.0 years old, and 68.3% were women. Based on a ten-point scale ranging from 1 = ’no influence’ to 10 = ’very big influence’, 91.9% confirmed at least some (> = 2) and 57.3% a rather high (> = 5) influence of earning expectations on their career choice process. Regarding the workshop, 86.1% were overall satisfied, and 89.5% indicated they had gained new insights, primarily regarding earning opportunities in different specialties and work settings, and frequently regarding job satisfaction, workload and the structure of revenues and expenditures in a doctor’s office (according to qualitative analysis). In the opinion of 89.8% of students, the provided learning content should be part of the undergraduate curriculum. More than half of participants reported an increase regarding the attractiveness of working self-employed and working as a general practitioner, most frequently regarding earning opportunities, but also in general and in respect to job satisfaction, cost–benefit ratio and workload. This increase was significantly higher among students favouring or at least considering a general practice career.ConclusionsThe workshop and its content were appreciated by the students and showed clear potential to usefully complement undergraduate curricula aiming at increasing or reinforcing students’ interest in working self-employed and working in general practice.

The motivation for the mobility – A comparison of the company assigned and self-initiated expatriates in Saudi Arabia

This study explores the dominant motivational factors that govern the decision of a sample of 344 expatriates of diverse demographic to relocate from their home nations and move abroad to live and work in Saudi Arabia within the banking sector. These expatriates are grouped into two specific defined cohorts: self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) and company-assigned expatriates (CAEs). A principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to validate a pull-push model of motivations governing the decision to expatriate. Six push-pull motivational hypotheses derived from a comprehensive review of the extant literature were tested, employing logistic regression using a stepwise forward procedure. The primary argument centred on a contention that SIEs would be more highly motivated by push factors, pull factors, as well as host-home and family dynamics compared to CAEs, while CAEs may be more highly motivated by career considerations. The results of the study revealed that the push factor emerged as the strongest predictor in distinguishing between SIE and CAE motivations to migrate abroad. SIEs were found to be more strongly motivated by push factors than CAEs. In contrast, none of the pull motivational factors produced significant results for either SIEs or CAEs. Key differences between each cohort of expatriates arise based on their unique personal and professional motivational factors, not their status as either a SIE or CAE. The reasons for these results and possible limitations of the study design and its specific Saudi Arabian context are further discussed.

“I Want to Be Safe…And I Also Want a Job”: Career Considerations and Decision-Making Among Transgender Graduate Students

Trans individuals experience unique stressors related to their careers, such as discrimination, workplace harassment, navigating transition, and disclosure of their identity. The current study examined the experiences of 30 trans graduate students with regard to career decision-making. In total, 19 identified as at least one nonbinary identity and 11 were binary trans-identified (trans men and trans women). Thematic analysis of in-depth interview transcripts revealed the following major themes: (a) Role of Gender Minority Stress During Graduate School in Career Development, (b) Key Considerations Related to Future Jobs or Career Paths (e.g., whether fields or specific jobs are trans-friendly), (c) Outness as a Key Consideration in the Job Application Process, and (d) the Role of Resources and Supports in Career Development. Our findings highlight the unique stressors for trans individuals in the career decision-making and job application processes and the unique challenges faced by nonbinary job seekers.

Journalism Education, Practice and Gender Issues in Nigeria: Factors Determining Journalism Career Consideration by Female Graduates of Mass Communication

Over the past two to three decades, journalism education at advanced levels is increasingly gaining popular acceptance despite being gendered, with more institutions of higher learning (such as universities and polytechnics) offering courses in Mass Communication and Journalism across Nigeria. Also, since the deregulation of the Nigerian broadcast media industry in 1992, many public and commercial broadcast outlets have been established across Nigeria, thus providing a bustling market for journalism career. This development could have encouraged those who studied Mass Communication and Journalism especially women (who are often discriminated against) to consider adopting journalism as a career after graduation. However, it is not known whether that is obtainable, and what factors could be affecting that. To solve that research gap, this study examined the factors impeding the adoption of journalism as a career among female graduates of mass communication in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. The study attempted to finding out the rationale behind non-pursuance of journalism by women. A qualitative survey approach, specifically the key informant interview (KII) approach was adopted. Using the snowball sampling method, 12 women mass communication graduates who were selected for interviews, and their responses were analysed using the thematic approach. The study found that: there was a great deal of perceived discrimination senior colleagues at places of work and by the general society toward women that are into journalism practice in Nigeria; female roles as mothers and wives; religious and cultural beliefs; and poor salary/wages were some of the critical factors impeding women mass communication graduates in Maiduguri from adopting journalism-related careers. The study concluded that women mass communication graduates in Maiduguri have negative perception toward journalism-related careers. The study, therefore, recommended that media organisations should make it as a duty to employ offer employment opportunities to more women and formulate and implement viable and strong gender equality policies. Keywords: Career consideration, Journalism career, Mass communication graduates, Media organisations, Nigerian news media, Women journalists DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/98-01 Publication date: September 30 th 2021