Career Choice Research Articles

The Parental Influence on Their Children’s Career Choices

This study explores the role of parents in shaping their children’s career aspirations, with a specific focus on the impact of parental education and urban-rural divides on career guidance involvement. Data were collected from 5,000 parents across 200 schools in 17 regions and 3 cities using convenience sampling methods. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze respondents’ demographic and academic backgrounds. The results reveal that parents with secondary education are more actively engaged in guiding their children’s career decisions compared to those with higher education. Furthermore, a significant urban-rural divide exists, with rural parents demonstrating lower awareness and involvement in career guidance activities, potentially limiting career aspirations among rural students. Parental involvement peaks during middle school and declines as students approach higher education. These findings highlight the need for targeted career guidance interventions, particularly in rural areas, to ensure equitable support for all students. The study concludes by recommending strategies to increase parental engagement across different educational levels and geographical locations.

Динамика карьерных ориентаций будущих педагогов: результаты межвузовского исследования

One of the reasons for the shortage of teaching staff in various countries around the world is the problem of attracting young staff to schools and their rapid dismissal. This situation actualizes the issues of studying the motivational bases for choosing a teaching profession. Tracking changes in students' career choice preferences can be facilitated by monitoring students' career orientations at different stages of their studies. The study aims to explore the dynamics of career orientations of student teachers from universities of various types over a three-year period of study. As a method of repeated research, the methodology for determining career orientations by Shein (adapted by Vinokurova and Chiker) was used. Analysis of the universities’ curricula was carried out to determine the characteristics of the educational process organization. With the help of a questionnaire, socio-demographic and motivational-professional characteristics of students were identified. Five hundred and four 3rd-year students from 6 universities of different types, who had already taken part in the first stage of the study in 2022, became participants in this study. The analysis of the obtained data allowed to identify the preservation of main career orientations (service, job stability and integration of lifestyles) among students. The convergence of the indicators of career orientations among students from different universities was established.

Factors Influencing the Selection of Dentistry as a Career Among Prospective Candidates: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to analyse the impact of sociodemographic factors on dental school candidates' decision to pursue dentistry as their career of choice. Candidates shortlisted by three dental schools were invited to participate in a self-administered questionnaire study, featuring a validated instrument containing sociodemographic questions and 16 motivational items grouped into four domains: economic, professional, vocational and personal background reasons. The variations in motivational item scores across sociodemographic factors were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test (age, sex, ethnicity, having relatives in the dental profession and dentistry as the first choice) and Kruskal-Wallis test (dental school and family income). A total of 295 dental school candidates participated in the study (Universiti Teknologi MARA: 137; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia: 99; MAHSA University: 59). Approximately 95% of participants identified dentistry as their primary career choice, with the vocational motivation of 'I like to help people' being the most prominent motivational factor. Dental school emerged as the critical factor significantly influencing three quarters of the motivational items. Sex, ethnicity and having relatives in the dental profession were the remaining factors significantly associated with variations in certain motivational items. Both dental school and ethnicity significantly affected four motivational domains (economic, professional, vocational and personal background). This study provides an insightful overview of the sociodemographic factors that impact career decision-making among prospective dental students. The scores for most motivational items varied among shortlisted candidates in three dental schools. The findings hold implications for policy development in dentistry by universities and public policymakers.

Factors Affecting the Career Choice of Intern Physicians and Their Perspectives on Family Medicine Residency

Factors Affecting the Career Choice of Intern Physicians and Their Perspectives on Family Medicine Residency

DIAGNOSIS OF CAREER READINESS AMONG SENIOR UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATE STUDENTS: DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, RESULTS OF CONFIRMATORY EXPERIMENT

This study delves into the intricate landscape of career decision-making, transcending the conventional job selection paradigm to encompass a holistic understanding of oneself, an awareness of potential vocations, and insights into developmental trajectories. Conducted at Toraighyrov University in the Kazakhstan, the research engaged 310 participants, comprising 215 undergraduates and 95 graduate students. Spanning humanities and STEM fields. Key findings emphasize the critical need for tailored interventions, including a specialized career course targeting information utilization skills and self-awareness. The proposed enhancement of one-on-one career counseling sessions aims to empower students with lifelong skills for effective self-management. Employing the Career Decision-making Difficulties Questionnaire (and the Six Phases of Career Decision-making Questionnaire, the study delineates the six phases of career decision-making, shedding light on significant challenges that serve as prognostic indicators of career readiness motivation. A noteworthy finding reveals that 43% of fourth-year undergraduates and 47% of graduate students are positioned in the pivotal fourth phase, representing a fundamental competency for those embarking on their professional journeys. Furthermore, the study underscores the rarity of achieving the sixth phase, symbolizing a fully determined career choice, with only 15% of graduate-level respondents and 7% of undergraduates reaching this advanced level of decision-making prowess

Неформалното образование по биология през погледа на ученици, учители и родители

The article presents the results of a survey among students, teachers and parents on non-formal educational activities. The sample size included 80 students between the ages of 12 – 14, participants in summer academies for children, 100 teachers and 69 parents. The main diagnostic tool is a survey of five questions - four with closed and one question with open answers. The survey results were processed statistically, using descriptive statistics, Fisher's parametric test and Kruskal Wallis's non-parametric test. Most of the respondees (students, teachers and parents) believe that the Middle school curriculum in Science (V – VI grade) and Biology and Health Education (VII grade) affects career choice. Students are not sure, while parents are doubtful, that in formal education one can acquire enough knowledge and skills, applicable to the real professional life. The results of the research indicate that non-formal educational initiatives are rare at the schools of the repondees (students, parents and teachers).

MBTI Personality Types and Their Impact on the Effectiveness of Employment Services and Career Guidance for Modern College Students

MBTI is a widely used psychological tool, which categorizes individual personality preferences based on four dichotomies. It is applied across diverse fields like career counseling and personal development it fosters collaboration and guiding individuals toward fulfilling career paths. There is growing need to understand how diverse MBTI personality types influence career related decisions and the overall success of employment services. The objectives of the study are to explore the relationship between MBTI personality types and college students' career choices, the efficacy of needs on career decision-making, and examine associated challenges and ethics. This research systematically analyzes studies published between 2015 and 2023, focusing on the impact of MBTI personality types on career outcomes. It highlights the diverse influence of MBTI personality types on college students, impacting their cross-cultural adjustment, occupational competence, coping skills, mental well-being and turnover intention. These insights contribute valuable knowledge to enhance personalized career guidance and employment services, facilitating better alignment with individual preferences for improved professional success and satisfaction.

Professional Training, Personality, and Financial Rewards Shaping Students' Career Interest as Public Accountants

The general background of this study is rooted in the importance of identifying factors that drive accounting students' interest in becoming public accountants. The specific background focuses on professional training, personality traits, financial rewards, and job market considerations as potential influencers of career interest. While prior studies have explored career selection, there remains a knowledge gap in understanding how these factors interrelate in the context of public accounting careers. This study aims to examine the effects of professional training, personality, financial rewards, and job market considerations on accounting students' career interest. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected from 100 fifth-semester accounting students at Muhammadiyah University of Sidoarjo through purposive sampling. The results show that professional training, financial rewards, and job market considerations each have a positive and significant effect on students' interest in a public accounting career. The novelty of this study lies in its integrated analysis of these variables, providing insights for educators and policymakers. The implications suggest the need for academic programs to enhance professional training, clarify financial incentives, and provide information on job market trends to support students’ career decisions. Highlights: Professional training significantly influences students' interest in public accounting careers. Financial rewards play a key role in motivating students to pursue public accounting. Job market considerations positively affect students' career choices in accounting. Keywords: Student Interest, Public Accountant, Professional Training, Personality, Financial Rewards

Competence, Training, Professionalism, and Financial Rewards Shaping Students’ Career Choice as Auditors

This study addresses the increasing demand for competent auditors by exploring how competence, professional training, and audit professionalism influence accounting students' career interest in auditing. Despite previous research on career selection, the knowledge gap lies in understanding the role of financial rewards as a moderating factor. This research aims to assess the impact of these factors while considering financial rewards as a moderator. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected from 120 accounting students from the 2020 and 2021 cohorts at Muhammadiyah University of Sidoarjo. Results indicate a positive relationship between competence, professional training, and audit professionalism with students' interest in auditing. Financial rewards were found to moderate the relationship between competence and career interest, as well as audit professionalism and career interest; however, it did not moderate professional training. The novelty of this study lies in examining financial rewards' moderating role, offering new insights for academic institutions to focus on competence and professionalism enhancement. Highlights: The study identifies financial rewards as a key factor that can strengthen the relationship between competence and students' interest in auditing careers. Professional training does not show a moderating effect with financial rewards in influencing career choices. The findings suggest a focus on competence and audit professionalism development for better career motivation. Keywords: Interest, Competence, Professional Training, Audit Professionalism, Financial Rewards

Research on the Education of Career Outlook for College Students in the New Era under the Guidance of Socialist Core Values

Employment has always been a major issue for livelihood. The overall employment situation in China is still severe, especially for college students who have many confusions and misconceptions about employment choices. Career education is not fully adapted to the needs of college students and needs to be addressed through various measures. In the new era, it is even more necessary to integrate the core values of socialism into the career education of college students, so that it can meet the needs of national development, social development, and college student development. This article first points out the necessity and role of socialist core values leading the education of career choices for college students in the new era, and then emphasizes the main content of socialist core values leading the education of career choices in the new era and the need to handle four pairs of relationships well. Finally, it proposes practical measures for the education of career choices in the new era under the guidance of socialist core values.

Empowering Nontraditional College Students: A Self-Transformative Intervention for Promoting Positive Identity Development

ABSTRACT Identity development has been consistently linked to a variety of positive adjustment indicators and plays a critical role during times of uncertainty. Despite this, only a handful of interventions have been developed to promote positive identity development. However, these interventions have not only focused on adolescent and emerging adults, but apart from a handful of social identity interventions, have also not targeted specific domains of identity development. In the current study, we outline the development of a domain-specific identity intervention, the Making Career and Educational Choices workshop (MCEC), and evaluate pre to posttest outcomes in a sample of 58 college students (M age = 32.33, S.D.age = 10.95; 48% White; 82% female). Students were assigned to either MCEC (n = 32) or a control (n = 26) group by random assignment of selected time slots. Two-wave latent change modeling indicated intervention gains in identity commitment making, identification with commitment, and identity exploration in breadth and in depth. Although preliminary, the relatively large estimates of intervention-related change provide support for the capacity of career-focused identity interventions to support students in choosing and committing to a future life direction. Implications, challenges, and future directions are discussed to guide future research.

Interesting, oftentimes even trendy! Attitudes of medical students regarding spa medicine

The popularity of balneology and medical climatology among medical students has scarcely been investigated but may represent a pertinent topic for the field. Methods: A survey was conducted among 53 German medical students (80% female; mean age 22.5 years; 39% pre-clinical stage) on attitudes and interest in spa medicine, their associations with the German terms ‘Kur’ (cure) and ‘Kurortmedizin’ (spa medicine; health resort medicine) and their own health behaviour. Associations with cures were recorded using a visual analogue scale (vas). Results: A majority (72%) of the sample indicated support for the inclusion of more information about spa medicine in university curricula. Spa medicine is associated with older individuals, but with less association to overweight and psychiatric patients. The data for the statements "a spa treatment is up-to-date" and "spa treatment is effective" exhibited a normal distribution in the sample. A significant proportion of respondents reported practicing thermal baths, healthy nutrition, sauna, and Kneipp medicine themselves. Implications: The majority of medical students classified spa medicine as interesting and relevant and do not see it as old-fashioned. This interest should be encouraged in university teaching. Interesting points of reference also arise in relation to predictors of career choice among future physicians.

Hospitality in the age of Gen Z: a critical reflection on evolving customer and workforce expectations

PurposeGen Z, the largest and fastest-growing consumer generation, is transforming the hospitality industry as both customers and employees. By critically synthesizing empirical literature, this study aims to explore how this generation’s distinct behaviors are reshaping customer expectations and workforce trends within the sector.Design/methodology/approachA critical synthesis of empirical studies was used to examine current research on Gen Z as customers and employees in the hospitality industry.FindingsGen Z exhibits distinct preferences and expectations in their dual roles as customers and employees, prompting substantial shifts in hospitality industry standards and practices. They rely heavily on digital channels and peer recommendations when making travel decisions and expect highly personalized, tech-enabled experiences. This young cohort of travelers values unique, authentic and sustainable offerings. As employees, Gen Z prioritizes flexible work arrangements, career growth and workplaces aligned with sustainability, diversity and social responsibility. Hospitality providers must adapt their customer experience, marketing and HR strategies to meet these evolving demands.Practical implicationsTo engage Gen Z customers and employees in the hospitality industry effectively, businesses must prioritize personalized experiences, leverage technology and adopt sustainable practices aligned with Gen Z’s social and environmental values. Moreover, offering adaptable work environments with remote opportunities and investing in professional development enhances appeal for Gen Z employees. Understanding Gen Z’s values and behaviors can help businesses improve customer satisfaction, attract top talent and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.Originality/valueThis study represents a preliminary endeavor to provide a critical assessment of Gen Z in the hospitality and tourism sector, offering novel insights into their travel behaviors, preferences and work values. It explores their expectations, attitudes toward work and career choices, offering guidance on how businesses can meet the evolving demands of this key demographic.

Pandemic perspectives: A scoping review of undergraduate nursing students' motivations in the age of COVID-19

Background and objective: The COVID-19 pandemic intensified global nursing shortages, underscoring the urgency to understand the evolving motivations of undergraduate nursing students (UNS). While intrinsic and extrinsic factors are known to influence career choices, the pandemic's impact necessitates a closer examination of these motivations. This scoping review maps and explores primary research on the multifaceted motivations influencing UNS career decisions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a comprehensive overview of the factors shaping the future nursing workforce.Methods: Guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search across five databases (CINAHL, PsycInfo, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus) identified relevant studies published between January 2020 and January 2024. Rigorous screening and data extraction were followed by qualitative synthesis to identify key motivational themes.Results: Thirteen studies from diverse regions (Asia, Middle East, United States, Europe) revealed a complex interplay of intrinsic (e.g., personal fulfillment, altruism) and extrinsic (e.g., financial security, job prospects) motivations. The pandemic amplified concerns about occupational risks and work-life balance while highlighting the profession's societal value. Gender disparities emerged, with distinct motivations and barriers observed among male and female students.Conclusions: This review provides a nuanced understanding of UNS career motivations in the pandemic era, emphasizing the need for tailored recruitment and retention strategies that address both intrinsic aspirations and extrinsic concerns. By recognizing the multifaceted nature of motivations and their regional variations, stakeholders can foster a resilient and adaptable nursing workforce equipped to meet the challenges of the evolving healthcare landscape.

High School Students’ Perceptions of Nursing as a Future Career Choice: A Qualitative Study

Background: Understanding the perceptions of high school students, before entering the field of nursing, can be a basis for future planning in this regard. Accordingly, this study aimed to explain the perceptions of these students about nursing as a future career choice in Iran. Methods: This qualitative content analysis study was conducted in four public high schools in Tehran, Iran. Participants included 28 students recruited using purposive sampling who were administered semi-structured, face-to-face interviews in 2019. The duration of the interviews ranged from 30 to 45 minutes and the interviews were transcribed verbatim. The method proposed by Elo and Kyngäs was used to analyze the data. Initially, semantic similarities and differences were reviewed and the subcategories were identified. After repeated reviews, the related subcategories were placed in one category. Results: Data analysis showed students’ perceptions of nursing as a future career could be classified into three categories and seven subcategories. The main categories included a positive view of the nursing profession (with two subcategories: interest in the profession and being a supporter), barriers to choosing nursing as a future career (with three subcategories: the lack of professional independence, poor financial support, and negative evaluation of nursing), and cultural issues (with two subcategories: stigmatized public image and nursing as a gender-dominated profession). Conclusion: The results of this study showed high school students have positive and negative views towards nursing and the influence of cultural issues on the nursing profession. If those interested in nursing can enter this field, they will act as professionals who provide optimal patient care.

Profiles of Preservice Biology Teachers’ Generic and Subject-Specific Career Choice Motives: Making a Social Contribution, Wanting to Teach, or Still Undecided

ABSTRACT Preservice teachers’ career choice motives consist of individual interests, orientations, or reasons that guide the decision to become teachers. Teachers’ career choice motives can impact teaching and job retention. Most studies on preservice teachers’ career choice motives use closed-ended instruments to assess generic career choice motives and conduct their analyses with variable-centered approaches. In contrast, this study administered open-ended questions in a sample of 298 preservice teachers, asking about both their generic and their subject-specific career choice motives. Furthermore, a latent class analysis was used to identify the different profiles of career choice motives. The findings suggest that, depending on the profile, preservice teachers may be motivated by making a social contribution, by wanting to teach, or they may still be undecided about their future career. The findings are discussed based on the existing literature and recommendations for teacher education and research on preservice teachers’ career choice motives are given.

Dealing with Failure: The Media’s Portrayal of Entrepreneurs in Croatia

Entrepreneurship and stigma have been subjects of interest in various studies within the entrepreneurship field. The evidence suggests that societal stigma may lead to the stigmatization of entrepreneurs who have faced business failure, potentially influencing their strategic decisions and the likelihood of re-entry into entrepreneurship. Additionally, the liability of newness and the stigma of failure are critical factors that shape entrepreneurial dynamics and outcomes in different national contexts. The fear of societal judgment and negative perceptions can deter individuals from engaging in entrepreneurial activities, hindering entrepreneurial risk-taking and innovation, and limiting the growth and development of entrepreneurial ventures. The societal stigma associated with business failure in former socialist economies has been a significant factor influencing entrepreneurial activities in these regions. Research has indicated that socialist ideology historically stigmatized private proprietorship, associating it with negative connotations such as parasitism, exploitation, and profiteering. This lasting stigma has had implications for individuals pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities in post-socialist economies, impacting their perceptions and decisions regarding entrepreneurship. The transition from socialist planned economies to market-oriented systems has brought about changes in attitudes towards entrepreneurship. While socialist legacies may have initially influenced societal norms and perceptions of entrepreneurship, the emergence of market economies has led to a reassertion of entrepreneurship in these regions. Numerous studies indicate that the way media depicts entrepreneurs and their ventures plays a crucial role in shaping the attractiveness of entrepreneurship as a career choice and in developing social norms pertinent to the entrepreneurial spirit. In our research, we utilize qualitative content analysis to examine the representation of entrepreneurship, including the successes and failures of entrepreneurs, in Croatian media. The findings reveal a dominant adverse perception of entrepreneurship as a career in Croatia, with entrepreneurs frequently depicted as tycoons. Additionally, since the 1990s, entrepreneurs have faced stigma, and there appears to be no evident direction for improvement in this area.

Business Transfers in Entrepreneurship Education: A Gap Covered by Buyer School and Successor School

Aging is a great challenge for European societies. When the time comes for the entrepreneur to retire, either a business transfer takes place or the firm ceases to exist. This means there is an increasing need for ‘takeover entrepreneurs’. Entrepreneurship education to improve entrepreneurial competencies or learn about starting a business is common in European HEIs, but there is relatively little attention given to family business succession as a career choice and practically none to entrepreneurship through acquisition. Entrepreneurship courses focus on starting a business, implicitly carrying the assumption that this is the sole way of becoming an entrepreneur or implementing a business idea. In this descriptive paper, a Buyer School and a Successor School developed by one university to bridge the gap is showcased and the rationale behind their development is discussed. The authors conclude that Successor and Buyer Schools show promise in closing the distance between HEI entrepreneurship education and the lived experience of entrepreneurial life. It is hoped that other HEIs are encouraged to offer similar courses or, failing that, to refer to takeover entrepreneurship in their other courses.

Math and German motivation transitions in early adolescence

BackgroundSome students are more motivated that others in one or multiple academic domains, and more motivated in one domain than another. These inner hierarchies of motivational beliefs are important because they can influence students’ achievement and study or career choices. However, little is known about the heterogeneity in inner hierarchies of motivational beliefs during early secondary school, when motivation typically declines. AimsThe aims of this study were to (1) identify profiles of self-concept and intrinsic value in mathematics and German during the first two years of secondary school, (2) explore stability and change in these profiles, and (3) explore how profile membership relates to student competence and gender, and perceived teacher behaviour. SampleParticipants were 721 secondary school students from Germany. MethodsStudents completed measures of self-concept, intrinsic value, and competence in grades 5 and 6, and measures of perceived teacher behaviour in grade 5. Data were analysed using latent transition analysis. ResultsFive profiles characterised by inter- and intraindividual differences in self-concept and intrinsic value were identified. Membership in these profiles was relatively stable. Inner hierarchies of self-concept and value were related to competence, with students demonstrating higher competence in domains they were more motivated in. Gender and perceived teacher behaviour were related to profile membership, but not profile transitions. ConclusionsWhen supporting the motivational development of students during the first two years of secondary school, teachers may need to adopt a holistic approach that recognises the heterogeneity in students’ inner hierarchies of motivational beliefs.

Beyond the shore: nurturing future marine biodiversity citizen scientists through Coastal Marine Science Fieldwork programme

ABSTRACT This study aims to assess the impact of the Coastal Marine Science Fieldwork (CMSF) Program in enhancing students' systematic thinking. To prepare students for their role as future global citizens, it is essential to expose them to socioscientific issues and provide first-hand experiences that reveal the interconnectedness of Earth's systems and human activities. Our research yielded the following insights: (1) Students demonstrated a significant increase in systems thinking, environmental nature of science views, and citizen science literacy after the CMSF program, (2) The program afforded students the opportunity to immerse in scientific investigations in ecological environments, effectively bridging the gap between textbook knowledge and the natural world, and (3) Fieldwork opportunities empowered students to assess their compatibility with scientific research, aiding them in making informed career choices in the field of science. This study holds educational significance for students pursuing majors in marine science or related fields at the higher education level. The integration of fieldwork into the learning process allows students to fortify their perspectives on the nature of science, ultimately promoting a greater number of students to consider science as a profession or actively participate in civic action.