Future Job Opportunities Research Articles

Mapping soft skills and further research directions for higher education: a bibliometric approach with structural topic modelling

ABSTRACT The global landscape and labour market are rapidly evolving in the twenty-first century, requiring individuals to adapt flexibly to new situations. Soft skills, such as problem-solving and communication skills, are becoming increasingly important for preparing students in higher education for future job opportunities. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of 4,358 research studies with the aim of guiding future research and practice. We sought to answer the following research question: What research themes involving soft skills are discussed in the literature, and what further research avenues can inform us about teaching soft skills? Given the interdisciplinary, cross-cutting nature of soft skills, we analysed research from various fields to uncover the relevance of and relationships among different soft skill topics and to identify which soft skill topics are particularly important in higher education settings. To help researchers develop a holistic approach to soft skills education, we provide a summary of existing soft skills research and identify directions for future research. In addition, we outline the evolution of keyword clusters to illuminate the future directions. This approach facilitates a deeper and more nuanced exploration of the relevant concepts. Our research supports practitioners and fosters a better understanding of the meaning of soft skills and how they can be taught in higher education, especially in digital environments.

Factors That Determine Student’s Preferences in Selecting Courses in Higher Learning Institution: A Study among Boarding Dan Daily Students from Secondary School in Mukah

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence students' decisions regarding which institution to enroll in for higher education. The research was carried out among students from three public secondary schools. The quantitative technique was used to collect and evaluate the data. The responses of the 220 participating students to the questionnaire are primarily described using descriptive statistics. Statistical Results of the study indicate that the parents play the major role in influencing the choices of courses and higher learning institutions among students. For the selected courses aimed to be taken at higher institutions, boarding students are well prepared compared to daily students who claim to have little knowledge on the courses selected. Daily students preferred higher education institutions with good courses offered while boarding students considered institutions based on location. Boarding students continue their study at a higher level because of their own interest while daily students want better job opportunities in future. The results of the study can be utilized by the educational marketers to produce appropriate marketing strategies to attract students' interest and promote their products.

Radiation Oncology Workforce: Supply and Demand

Since 2017, the specialty of radiation oncology has experienced its fifth consecutive year of decline in residency applicants, resulting in a high number of unmatched positions. The cause of this precipitous decline is multifactorial. Factors cited include concerns about future job opportunities, the decreased pass rate in the ABR radiation biology and physics boards examinations in 2018, and the continued lack of formal exposure to radiation oncology during medical school training. We summarize the issues facing the field of radiation oncology and discuss how we could learn from similar experiences in diagnostic radiology and other specialties to address these concerns. We propose potential solutions to ensure an adequate and diverse number of residency applicants to serve the future workforce needs in radiation oncology.

Determinants of Career Choices among Management Students under Tribhuvan University in Nepal

This research investigates the challenges of career decision making among management students at Tribhuvan University in Nepal, utilizing a quantitative approach through a questionnaire survey. The study aims to comprehensively assess the impact of key variables: Interest in the Subject, Ease of Subject, Financial Outcomes, Future Job Opportunities and Interpersonal Influences on students' career choices. Employing a multiple linear regression model, the analysis indicates a reliable relationship between these independent variables and the dependent variable Career Choice with a substantial coefficient of determination (R Square = 0.782) and adjusted R Square (0.773). Particularly remarkable are the significant roles of Financial Outcomes and Future Job Opportunities as predictors (p < 0.001), indicating their considerable influence on career decisions. Interest in the Subject, Ease of Subject, and Interpersonal Influences display non-significant coefficients, suggesting limited impact within this student group. These findings hold significant implications for educational institutions and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of incorporating practical exposure and information related to financial aspects and job prospects in curriculum design and career counseling services.

Factors Influencing the Choice of Nursing Profession as a Future Career Among Achievers University Nursing Students, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Background: Interest in choosing a career and understanding the professional expectation of a career choice is critical to one's career's success and fulfillment. The growth of the nursing profession in Nigeria hinges on the ability to employ and retain the new generation of nurses. Choosing nursing as a career of choice should be influenced not only by outward and material benefits but also by self-interest and a true passion for the profession. Aim: The study assessed the factors influencing the choice of the nursing profession as a future career among Achievers University Nursing Students, Owo. Method: The study adopted a descriptive study design, and a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 299 respondents for the study. The data collection instrument was a self-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency tables and graphs, while chi-square was used to find associations between the variables with the aid of (SPSS) version 21.0. Result: The results of this study revealed that the high preference for nursing as a course of choice among the respondents was based on the following reasons: the opportunity it provides to travel and practice abroad (85.6%), parental influence (64.5%), future job opportunity (78.3%), family advice (63.2%). However, 29.8% would consider leaving nursing if given a choice, 58.5% claimed they would stay with nursing irrespective of any choice given while 11.7% were not yet sure of their decisions. The results of the hypotheses revealed a significant relationship between parental influence and the choice of nursing as a future career (x2 = 17.32, p<0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that future job opportunities and an opportunity to travel abroad were the reason for choosing nursing as a profession. Parents and other family members were the major people who influenced the respondents' choice of nursing as a career. Recommendation: The study recommends that nursing schools organize a career talk programme to re-orientate the students on what nursing is all about, emphasizing both future benefits and challenges to expect in their course of choice. Keywords: Career, Choice, Factors, Future, Influence, Nursing profession.

Examining the Effectiveness of English as the Medium of Instruction for Undergraduates at The Shaikh Ayaz University, Shikarpur

The current research is conducted on use of English as the medium of instruction (EMI) in the context where English is used as second language. The objectives of the study are to explore the problem in using EMI apart on the perception of students and how EMI is beneficial for students by examining the perception of students studying in The Shaikh Ayaz University Shikarpur. The researcher has used the quantitative approach and data were collected through questionnaire consisted of 60 close-ended questions and handed over to 30 students from the university. Data were statistically analyzed through Microsoft excel 2007 to find out the percentage. The findings identified benefits such as use of EMI helps in learning a language, it has positive effect on students’ academic performance, the ease of access to materials of learning, provide better future job opportunities, enhance intellectual abilities and also helpful in higher studies. The study suggests majority of students were comfortable in Sindhi medium instruction but besides their comfort and drawbacks of EMI 90% Students preferred English language to be continues as the medium of instruction. The findings indicate positive outcomes, including enhanced language proficiency and improved academic performance among students instructed in English. However, challenges such as difficulties in grasping complex subject matter and concerns about inclusivity for students with varying English language skills were also identified. The study suggests pedagogical implications, emphasizing the need for faculty development programs and language support services to enhance teaching methods and ensure equitable access to education.

Gender bias in university student mobility: a cohort analysis in Italy

PurposeThis paper aims to assess gender bias in Italian university student mobility controlling for the field of study. It uses data from the Italian National Student Archive (Anagrafe Nazionale degli Studenti – ANS) for the cohort of freshmen enrolled in the 2017 academic year. The macro-regional comparison unfolds across the following areas: North and Centre, Southern Italy and main Islands (Sicily and Sardinia).Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is firstly carried out at the national level, and secondly, it focusses on macro-geographical areas. University mobility choices are thus investigated from a gender perspective, conditioning upon other theoretically relevant characteristics collected for the prospective first-year university student population enrolled in 2017. The authors analyse data in a regression setting (logit models) within the multilevel framework, which considers students at level 1 and the field of study at level 2. Gender differences in the propensity to be a mover – conditional upon the choice of the field of study – were captured by introducing random intercepts to account for clustering of students in fields of study and random slopes to allow the gender effect to differ among them.FindingsFindings show that university student mobility in Italy leads evidence of gender bias. This has been detected using a multilevel random slope approach that allowed the authors to jointly estimate a slope parameter for gender within each field of study. Moreover, using a regression setting allowed the authors to control for heterogeneity in geographical, educational and socio-demographic characteristics across students. In line with previous empirical findings, the authors' data highlight the presence of a relevant mobility flow of university students from the South toward the North-Centre of Italy and lower mobility of female students compared to male students from the South and Islands.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, there are no studies in Italy, which investigate if families' investment in higher education in terms of selection of no-local universities are affected by gender bias and if geographical differences in this behaviour between macro-areas are in place. Thus, investigating students' choices in tertiary education allows the authors to shed light on the presence of gender bias in families' education strategies addressed to increase the endowment of students' assets for future job opportunities.

Paving the Way: Exploring Influential Factors that Shape Career Preferences among Students in Higher Education Institutions - Insights from Selected Arts and Science Colleges in Kerala

The aim of the research was to examine the elements that influence the career choices of university students. It is a selected study conducted across ten Kerala arts and science colleges ranked in the 2022 ranking of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). A sample of 375 students was selected from the selected higher education institutions. The results show that gender is significantly related to career choice. In addition, except for family factors like parents ‘education and family support, all other factors examined show weak, negative correlation with career choice. Family members’ profession and parental pressure prove to have significant negative association with the career path choice of students. Among the financial factors examined, future job opportunities, knowledge of high-paying jobs, job security, salary increases and perks, and opportunities for promotion and growth show a significant association with students' career choices. All of the personality factors examined correlate significantly with the career choice of the students. Among social factors, with the exception of teacher advice, college career guidance services, and alumni/friend success stories, all other variables studied show a significant association with career choice. Investigating on the factors that impact the career decisions of students, the results show that parental pressure, support from family members, future career opportunities, personal interest, social recognition related to a career, campus placements, influence of social media, and graduate/friend success stories have a significant impact on the students' choice of career. Among these predictor variables, the variables that have the greatest influence on career choices are parental pressure, future job opportunities, personal interest and campus placement. The study recommends universities to have an active careers advice center with a team consisting of a full-time placement officer and a student advisor. Recommendations for conducting psychometric tests to assess skills and conducting parent awareness programs to avoid parental pressure on students' career choices are recommended. Key Words: Career choice, career guidance, family factors, financial factors, personal factors, social factors.

Factors that Impact the College Program Selection of Senior High School Students

The process of choosing a college program is a significant decision for senior high school students as it can shape their future academic and career paths. Various factors influence this decision, and they can have both positive and negative impacts on students' mental and academic well-being. In this regard, this study focused on the factors influencing senior high students of Saint Paul University Surigao in choosing their college program, the school year 2022-2023. The participants in this study were Grade 12 students of Saint Paul University Surigao, providing a diverse range of data for collection. The researcher employed a quantitative-descriptive research methodology. The study was conducted by handing out survey questionnaires to 4 strands consisting of 12 sections using a simple random technique. The survey questionnaires focused on the factors influencing students' college course choices based on two identified variables: considerations about the institution and future job opportunities. After gathering and analyzing the data using One-way ANOVA, the study shows that certain factors had adverse repercussions on the overall health and academic performance of Grade 12 students. Moreover, the study identified a significant difference between the factors influencing senior high school students in choosing their college program, particularly in considerations about the institution and future job opportunities. An increase in the impact of these factors led to an increase in students' decision-making processes. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of understanding the factors that influence senior high school students in choosing their college program. Certain factors can negatively impact students' well-being, and there is a significant difference in the factors that influence their decision-making processes. These findings can provide valuable insights for educators and policymakers in developing effective strategies to support students in making informed decisions about their academic and career paths

Designing internships: Student demographics and student motivation

Background: Internships as a means for learning and job training are increasingly getting traction among universities and policymakers. Still, we do not know what motivates students to undertake such external experimental learning arrangements.Aim: This study reveals students’ motivation for engaging in two different internships design.Setting: We explore the motivation among Norwegian bachelor and master business students for engagement in internships locally and abroad.Methods: This is a quantitative study where 244 students responded to our survey. The students themselves provided input on the survey topics. We applied t-tests, correlations, and regressions to analyse the data.Results: Demographical variables as well as motivational factors influence the student’s preferences regarding internships.Conclusion: The complexity and design inherent in the internship are accepted by the student depending on their family situation, their job experience and their learning expectations.Contribution: Internships are not a one-size-fits-all. The students’ family situation, their previous work experience and their academic achievements give hints to what the student looks for in an internship: a local internship offering future job opportunities or an international internship promising greater learning opportunities.

The Effects of Exchange Experience on the Professional Identity Constitution of Undergraduates from CEFET-MG

International academic mobility programs are increasingly expanding, mainly due to the process of institutionalization of Brazilian educational institutions. The exchange experience can enable greater foreign language learning, intercultural, academic, and professional development of students, and a partnership network, which can contribute to future partnerships and/or job opportunities. Thus, the objective of this work was to understand some effects of meaning in the Campus Divinópolis CEFET-MG undergraduate students’ identity constitution, due to their experience studying abroad, in addition to identifying the representations that emerge in the discourse of the subjects participating in the research in relation to international exchange. This is qualitative research and the instruments we used to form the corpus were written autobiographical narratives and semi-structured interviews with the subjects participating in this study via Google Meet. Then, this study has an interpretive nature, as it allows different interpretations of the collected material. Four students from the Mechatronics Engineering course participated in our research, who, when narrating their experiences, brought their representations to life. The importance of exchange for personal, academic, and professional growth reverberated in the participants' statements, allowing constant identity transformation. Finally, this study can contribute to a better understanding of the need for the internationalization process of our institution, allowing an evaluation of international academic mobility programs, in addition to encouraging other students to seek these opportunities offered by the institution.

Constructing global citizenship identity through accumulating cultural capital: Chinese female international students’ experiences at a British university

Purpose This paper aims to explore Chinese female international students’ construction of global citizenship identity by examining their accumulation of cultural capital in different forms from transnational higher education in the UK. Design/methodology/approach Participant observations and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with Chinese female international students at a British university to explore their experiences with transnational higher education, cultural identities, the construction of global citizenship and perceived future job opportunities. Findings In this research, participants revealed that accessing a global elite university helps them accumulate institutionalised cultural capital. Embodied cultural cultivation acquired from transnational higher education is justified by students’ experiences in the context of transnational higher education. Rising confidence is shown by the participants’ narration and global-oriented awareness, which is their ability to understand and respect people from diverse cultural backgrounds, which was developed during their studies in the UK. However, they still realise the potentially difficult conversion of cultural capital to real job competitiveness. Recognition of global citizenship identity may be complicated if students plan to return home after studying. Research limitations/implications This study provides further insight into the single-child generation of globally mobile Chinese female international students. Participants were aware of the positive accumulation of cultural capital in its embodied and institutionalised forms obtained from the UK higher education system and its contribution to the construction of global citizenship identity. However, the newly constructed global citizenship identity remains complex. Participants question the extent to which the new identity fits into the Chinese social context if they decide to return home. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, the originality of the paper lies in expanding the global citizenship framework with the specific application of Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital to show Chinese female international students’ study experiences in UK transnational higher education, rather than addressing the Chinese international student experience in general.

Factors affecting the decision to choose a university of high school students: A study in An Giang Province, Vietnam

It is important to provide high school students with the necessary information for them to consult and make a decision to choose a university. The study aims to identify and evaluate the influence of factors in the decision to choose a university for high school students. The questionnaire survey method was used to collect data from 393 students from eight high schools in An Giang Province, Vietnam. Exploratory factor analysis and linear regression were used to analyze the data. The research results show that students are quite satisfied and quite certain with their decision to choose a university, while there are six important factors affecting the decision to choose a university. Influential factors with decreasing order of magnitude are: i) Factors consulted by teachers, family, friends, and relatives; ii) Factors of future job opportunities; iii) Factors of media activities; iv) Factors of learning conditions; v) Factors of university reputation; vi) Factors belong to the students themselves. The findings of the study show that there is no statistically significant difference between the group of males and females, between grades 10, 11, and 12. Besides, there is a statistically significant difference between students in high schools. The findings of this study have theoretical and practical implications for university admissions in Vietnam. Proposals made to university administrators were discussed. From the research results, we want to help students find the right university, and support universities to improve the efficiency of admissions.

Language-in-Education Policy and Practice in the Democratic Republic of Congo

This paper concentrates on the language-in-education policy and practice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) particularly in Kalemie region. It intends to examine the practicality of language-in-education policy in schools and to examine the challenges pertaining to the implementation of the language of education policy. Data collection was done in four schools, two primary and two secondary schools in Kalemie region. The study employed a qualitative approach and the data were gathered through interviews, focus group discussions, observation and documentary review. Simple random sampling was used to get standard six pupils, form one students and teachers. The study employed the Proficiency Theory as a theory of bilingual education developed by Cummins. The study reveals that teachers from secondary schools use French language as a medium of instruction. It also indicates that language competence of the students is very weak. This is due to the transition from the national language, Kiswahili to French. The study notes that students are not comfortable with the medium of instruction, in this case French. It was discovered that, teachers face serious challenges on implementing the policy, such as students not being comfortable with the medium of instruction in the class, absence of teaching and learning materials, inadequate textbooks in schools, and lack of an organized library. However, the students indicated that, even if they have problems with French, they still prefer it to Kiswahili, since it is a language for their future job opportunities. The study recommends that there is a need for a political will to ensure the existence and growth of African languages and their position particularly in education.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Lifestyle in Thai Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed Method Study.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to global reports of hazards to mental health. However, reports regarding lifestyle changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic are lacking. Using a convergent mixed methods design, we conducted individual interviews with twelve occupational therapy students and interpreted the results by content analysis. We completed a survey of Thai Sensory Patterns Assessment (TSPA) concerning perspectives from occupational therapy students (n = 99). They identified two major themes: (i) adaptive responses were consistent with areas of occupation during the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) multidimensional challenges were related to sensory patterns of purposeful and meaningful activities. The participants reported both positive and negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives. It had both positive and negative effects on the lifestyle of students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The positive effect was that most students learned better ways to protect and care for themselves. During the COVID-19 pandemic, occupational therapy students were most concerned about their online learning activities, economic problems, isolation from society, and lifestyle. The negative effects of this include stress, anxiety, loneliness, frustration, boredom, and exhaustion for occupational therapy students. As an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, occupational therapy students adapted to new lifestyles and experienced mental health issues related to their studies, families, friends, economics, social climate, and future job opportunities. Educators may use the findings of this study to prevent negative impacts on mental health and promote academic achievement in the future, as well as general well-being, efficacy, and empowerment of students in the new normal post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

A stepping stone to the “West”: Academic adaptation of international students from post-Soviet countries in Hungary

The study aimed to investigate the academic adaptation experiences of international students from post-Soviet countries in Hungary. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 international students from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova, studying at an institute of higher education in Hungary. We used reflexive thematic analysis to explore the adaptation experiences of the international students and to analyze a relatively large dataset. Three themes were generated: (1) From the post-Soviet to the “Western world”; (2) Comparison and contrast; and (3) Managing in an unknown academic environment. The results show that push-pull factors affected the international students’ decision to study abroad. International students consider Hungary as a “transit” country — an “affordable stepping stone” from which to look for future educational or job opportunities in other Western countries. Our findings also emphasize the importance of cultural distance in the institutional context of post-Soviet countries and Hungary.

Influence of Community College Personnel on Degree Aspirations and Upward Transfer Intentions of Hospitality Management Students in California Community Colleges

ABSTRACT Two hundred and four students completed a web-based questionnaire distributed to a stratified sample of California community college students (n = 2,300) enrolled in hospitality management or related programs to assess the influence of community college personnel on students’ degree aspirations and upward transfer of community college students to four-year degree programs. Faculty interaction, transfer services, and general support services were statistically significant in explaining degree aspirations and the likelihood of upward transfer; demographic variables were not. The results suggest community colleges can positively influence students’ degree aspirations and upward transfer intentions. Implications include creating opportunities to educate students about upward transfer and influence their degree aspirations, improving future job opportunities.

Motivations to enrol in EMI programmes in China: an exploratory study

Abstract A recent interest in English Medium Instruction (EMI) has led to the flourishing of studies that examine motivation in EMI classrooms. Some of these studies tend to compare language learning motivation of students who are and are not enrolled in EMI programmes (see e.g. Doiz, Aintzane, David Lasagabaster & Juan Manuel Sierra. 2014. CLIL and motivation: The effect of individual and contextual variables. The Language Learning Journal 42(2). 209–224; Sylvén, Liss Kerstin & Amy S. Thompson. 2015. Language learning motivation and CLIL: Is there a connection? Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education 3(1). 28–50), showing that EMI learners are typically more motivated than their peers in non-EMI contexts. This has led to the common perception that learners enrol in EMI primarily to improve their English. Yet, there is a dearth of comprehensive studies exploring learners’ reasons behind their enrolment in EMI programmes and how these change throughout their studies. To address this gap, 247 university students from a range of universities across China filled in the questionnaire, which included scales pertaining to reasons for choosing an EMI programme. The data were analysed in SPSS. The results show that enhanced future job opportunities, opportunities for contact with an international community as well as potential gains in learning content and language specific vocabulary are the most strongly endorsed drivers that motivate EMI students to undertake their studies in English. They also tend to pursue their ideal visions of themselves as bilingual professionals and derive pleasure from EMI classes. To a lesser extent, students are motivated by what is expected of them and the actual pedagogy in the language classroom. Their motivation tends to stay stable over their years of study. However, the survey also revealed that not all students are equally motivated and resolved to continue with EMI studies. The findings highlight that, whereas students tend to be strongly motivated, there is a potential to improve the delivery of EMI courses.

The Power of Career Counseling: Preventing Sex Trafficking

Human trafficking is quickly becoming one of the world’s largest criminal industries. Many of its victims are children and adolescents. Traffickers often prey on the vulnerable, promising them a better life. Tactics, such as grooming, coerce victims into prostitution or other forms of human trafficking. This paper reports research on generational changes between Millennials and Generation Z that increase susceptibility to sex trafficking. Based on interviews conducted with school counselors, low personal achievement and poverty may increase a youth’s chance of being sex trafficked. Because of this, career counseling offers a realistic method for achieving self-sufficiency through future job opportunities. This article offers information on sex trafficking and details specific career counseling strategies to prevent youth susceptibility to sex trafficking.

Views of young dentists on choosing oral pathology specialist as their lifelong career

Background/purposeCurrently, very few young dentists in Taiwan are willing to choose oral pathology specialist as their lifelong career. This study reported the views of young dentists on the profession of oral pathology. Materials and methodsThis study exploited the observational method and the questionnaire survey to collect the views of young dentists on the profession of oral pathology in Taiwan. ResultsThirty-five dental trainees or residents filled out the questionnaires. They agreed that the life quality or workload, interest, incidence of medical disputes, accomplishment, future job opportunities, salary level, and possibility to become a clinic owner were important factors that were considered to choose a dental specialist training program. Most (33, 94.3%) of them were sure that they would not choose oral pathology specialists as their lifelong career. The important reasons for not choosing oral pathology specialists as their lifelong career were learning characteristics, insufficient understanding of the work that an oral pathology specialist has to do, poor life quality or heavy workload, lower accomplishment, fewer job opportunities, and a relatively lower salary. The important factors that could increase the young dentists’ willingness to consider oral pathology specialist as the lifelong career included increased income, life quality, and future job opportunities and reduced workload for the oral pathology residents and specialists. ConclusionWe suggest that the government should build a long-term budget to subsidize oral pathology residents and specialists to further solve the serious oral pathology specialist shortage problem in Taiwan.