Occupational Interests Research Articles

Feasibility and Usability of an Occupation-Based Immersive Virtual Reality Protocol for Older Adults

The growing population of aging adults, coupled with the widespread adoption of technology, including within virtual environments, prompts the need to understand technology engagement preferences among older adults. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of older adults engaging with a client-centered immersive virtual reality (IVR) protocol tailored to their specific occupational interests. Employing a mixed methods approach, the research combined the quantitative System Usability Scale (SUS) assessment with qualitative interviews to examine the feasibility, usability, and learning experiences of community-dwelling older adults. Fifteen (n = 15) older adult participants trialed an IVR session tailored to match their chosen occupations of importance. Findings revealed that the usability of IVR varied significantly among participants, with an average SUS score of 55, indicating a need for further investigation into usability issues. Qualitative analysis identified three themes: IVR is usable when it is intuitive and with training, balance the apps for success, and overall lasting impressions were related to the perceived implementation for the participant. The incorporation of meaningful occupations in IVR programming is feasible and can be integrated into healthy aging-in-place programming; however, expanding available leisure-based apps and increasing the learning time before engagement should be considered.

A study on the professional attention and career commitment of health management students.

The education process is based on leading the choice of profession in line with the interests and abilities of the individual and helping them with their career plans in these professions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the occupational interest levels of the Health Management Department students on their career commitment. In the study, descriptive findings were included by using a quantitative research design. In the research, data were collected from 282 students studying Department of Health Management. SPSS 26.0 package program was used for statistical analysis of research data. Parametric tests (t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, normal linear regression analysis) were utilized since the data fit the normal distribution. 57.1% of the individuals participating in the research are female, 47.8% have the age range of 21 to 22. There is a positive, moderate (r = 0.677 p < 0.01) significant relationship between professional interest and career commitment scales. The level of professional interest and career dedication varies according to gender, age, income status and the class of the student. It is very important that health management students have an interest in their profession. Because this interest will guide them in what kind of a career they should make in their business life after graduation.

Compromises in occupational choice and premature termination of vocational education and training: gender type, prestige, and occupational interests in focus

This study examines whether premature termination of vocational education and training (VET) is more likely when trainees have to make compromises between their realistic occupational aspirations and the occupation for which they are trained in terms of the occupational dimensions of gender type, prestige, and occupational interests. Specifically, it examines the relative importance of the three compromise dimensions on premature VET termination. The study is based on a sample of 3,241 VET entrants from a cohort of ninth graders in 2010 in the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS-SC4) in combination with aggregated data on occupational characteristics. Results from discrete hazard rate models indicate a higher risk of premature VET termination for trainees whose VET occupation differs from their realistic occupational aspiration from their school days. While compromises in prestige have no overall effect, both compromises in interests and gender type threaten the stability of VET. The results also indicate that compromises in interests have the strongest effect on the risk of premature VET termination and that the effects of compromises in gender type are partly mediated by the effects of compromises in interests. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis revealed that the main effects of compromises in gender type and prestige are gender specific.

Network analysis of occupational stress and job satisfaction among radiologists.

Occupational stress and job satisfaction significantly impact the well-being and performance of healthcare professionals, including radiologists. Understanding the complex interplay between these factors through network analysis can provide valuable insights into intervention strategies to enhance workplace satisfaction and productivity. In this study, a convenience sampling method was used to recruit 312 radiologists for participation. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, job satisfaction measured by the Minnesota job satisfaction questionnaire revised short version (MJSQ-RSV), and occupational stress assessed using the occupational stress scale. Network analysis was employed to analyze the data in this study. The network analysis revealed intricate patterns of associations between occupational stress and job satisfaction symptoms among radiologists. Organizational management and occupational interests emerged as crucial nodes in the network, indicating strong relationships within these domains. Additionally, intrinsic satisfaction was identified as a central symptom with high connectivity in the network structure. The stability analysis demonstrated robustness in the network edges and centrality metrics, supporting the reliability of the findings. This study sheds light on the complex relationships between occupational stress and job satisfaction in radiologists, offering valuable insights for targeted interventions and support strategies to promote well-being and job satisfaction in healthcare settings.

Research on the Influence of Vocational Interest of Vocational College Students on the Professional Learning Effectiveness

This study investigates how various occupational interests among students in higher vocational colleges impact their learning outcomes. It develops a theoretical model linking six occupational interest types to learning outcomes, gathering data from 390 valid responses via online surveys. Analysis was performed using SPSS 24.0 software to assess the relationship between occupational interests and learning outcomes, incorporating both reliability and validity tests, followed by multiple linear regression to evaluate the research hypotheses. Findings indicate that interests in vocational, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional areas positively influence professional learning outcomes. Notably, social occupational interests demonstrate the most significant positive impact, whereas conventional interests have the least effect on learning outcomes. Conclusively, the study offers targeted recommendations for students, parents, and educators. It highlights the necessity of aligning students' occupational interests with educational programs to enhance learning outcomes, advocating for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to support students' academic and professional growth. This tailored approach aims to foster an educational environment that maximizes students' potential and academic success.

“The Top Cop”: Understanding Correctional Officer Recruits’ Motivations Towards Correctional Emergency Response Team Membership

ABSTRACT Correctional officer recruits (CORs) must complete the correctional training program (CTP) mandated by Correctional Service Canada (CSC), in preparation for the plethora of occupational responsibilities they will be tasked with in their occupational role of correctional officer (CO). During training, recruits continue to conceive ideas about their career trajectories. Previous research exploring CO or COR motivations has focused largely on occupational entry and their underlying intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Little empirical evidence examines the general occupational directions or desires of CORs exiting CTP, particularly their interest in future Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) membership. The current study relies on data from interviews with 36 CORs who expressed interest in CERT membership before employment at a federal penitentiary. Findings suggest that these CORs are drawn to CERT membership due to previous occupational interests, media representations of CERT/ERT, but also experience challenges in acquiring membership related to CERT culture, social relationships, and gender. We conclude the article with considerations for recruitment and retention of COs as it relates to CERT membership for Canadian federal correctional services.

Our magazine, or, why does no-one read us?

In this short piece, I want to reflect on the status, relevance and future of the academic journal. They emerged at a point when middle class European men were beginning to produce a cumulative body of knowledge using paper technologies, editorial boards and professional associations to legitimate their discoveries. Three hundred years later, the global university system, the financial interests of global knowledge corporations, and the occupational interests of university workers has supported a huge explosion of journals as markers of status, providers of data about who writes and who cites, and profitable ways of extracting value from university library budgets. This journal, though it has published much which is critical about such a system, is entirely parasitic on this set of financial and occupational interests. As Organization enters its fourth decade, might it be possible to be clearer concerning what services it provides and for who? If we think of it, as my mother-in-law once presciently suggested, as a magazine, can we be more explicit about what stories and features we are selling, and who our readers are? In other words, should we try to be more magazine?

Vaccinating Welders against Pneumococcus: Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Workers occupationally exposed to welding dusts and fumes have been suspected to be at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Since the 2010s, the United Kingdom Department of Health and the German Ständige Impfkommission (STIKO) actively recommend welders undergo immunization with the 23-valent polysaccharide (PPV23) pneumococcal vaccine, but this recommendation has not been extensively shared by international health authorities. The present meta-analysis was therefore designed to collect available evidence on the occurrence of pneumococcal infection and IPD among welders and workers exposed to welding fumes, in order to ascertain the effective base of evidence for this recommendation. PubMed, Embase and MedRxiv databases were searched without a timeframe restriction for the occurrence of pneumococcal infections and IPD among welders and workers exposed to metal dusts, and articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included in a random-effect meta-analysis model. From 854 entries, 14 articles (1.6%) underwent quantitative analysis, including eight retrospective studies (publication range: 1980-2010), and six reports of professional clusters in shipbuilding (range: 2017-2020). Welders had an increased likelihood of developing IPD compared with non-welders (odds ratio 2.59, 95% CI 2.00-3.35, I2 = 0%, p = 0.58), and an increased likelihood of dying from IPD (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 2.42, 95% CI 1.96-2.99, I2 = 0%, p = 0.58). Serotype typing was available for 72 cases, 60.3% of which were represented by serotype 4, followed by 12F (19.2%) and serotype 8 (8.2%). Although the available data derive from a limited number of studies, available results suggest that pneumococcal vaccination should be recommended for workers exposed to welding fumes, and vaccination strategies should consider the delivery of recombinant formulates in order to combine the direct protection against serotypes of occupational interest with the mucosal immunization, reducing the circulation of the pathogen in occupational settings characterized by close interpersonal contact.

Exploring young students’ attitude towards coding and its relationship with STEM career interest

This paper presents findings of an investigation on students’ attitudes towards coding and its relationship with interest in STEM-related careers. A concurrent mixed-method research design involving a pre-intervention-intervention-post-intervention non-equivalent control group was adopted. A sample of 50 grade seven to nine South African students (21 male and 29 female) from Township schools in Johannesburg, South Africa, participated. Quantitative data was gathered using the elementary students’ coding attitude survey and STEM Career Interest survey, while qualitative data was collected through a focus group interview. Interview data was analysed using content analysis, and quantitative data was analysed using multiple correlation analysis and standardized regression coefficients (β). It was found that students’ attitude towards coding was generally positive. A number of correlations between students’ attitude and their STEM career interests were significant at p < .05. Results also revealed that students’ attitudes in terms of coding confidence, coding interest, the social value of coding and perceptions of coders were found to be significant predictors of their interest in a STEM occupation. Based on this, it is argued that encouraging a positive attitude toward coding in students and increasing their self-efficacy can reinforce STEM learning and increase students’ interest in STEM occupations.

Vocational Vanity and Career deterioration in Ibsen’s The Master Builder

In The Master Builder, Henrik Ibsen gave the stage Halvard Solness, an architect and businessman as a tragic hero whose fall is precipitated by various factor: psychological, social and occupational. And while the psychological and social factors are researched and commented on extensively by many scholars and critics, the last area which has to do with Solness’s profession is hardly approached. Therefore, in the study, Solness’s business world, vocational principles and work ethics are explored in an attempt to read Solness’s tragic end as the natural corollary of his failure to maintain a staunch work morality. Reading The Master Builder from a vocational point of view proved that Solness possessed a flawed business logic that compromised his career and led him blindly towards his end. He is by no means the empowering boss, but a parasitic business owner who plans to promote his own occupational interests at the expense of his employee’s hard work.&#x0D;

Exploration of Teaching Mode Reform of Ideological and Political Courses in Higher Vocational Colleges from the Perspective of Professional Quality

Higher vocational colleges as an important place for talent cultivation, facing the new requirements of the development of the new era, how to reform the ideological and political course teaching mode of higher vocational colleges based on professional quality is the main topic of practical education reform exploration. Professional quality refers to a comprehensive performance of workers' understanding and adaptability to social occupation, which is embodied in occupational situation, occupational personality, occupational ability and occupational interest. On the basis of understanding the current situation of ideological and political course education in higher vocational colleges, according to the relationship between ideological and political course teaching and professional quality training, this paper mainly starts from three aspects of teaching objectives, teaching methods and evaluation system, and puts forward reform countermeasures to meet the requirements of enterprises for talents' professional quality in the new era.

Examining the Influence of Self-Esteem and Digital Literacy on Professional Competence Factors in Dental Education: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aims to investigate the effects of digital literacy and self-esteem on dental students’ perceptions of professional competence and to provide recommendations for improving educational programs in dental schools. A mixed-methods, descriptive, and relational scanning design was employed, using a questionnaire comprising demographic information, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Digital Literacy Scale (DLS), and the Professional Competence Scale (PCS). The sample included 427 dental students in Istanbul, Turkey. Statistical analyses included Cronbach Alpha, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, Spearman’s rho correlation, and the Generalized Linear Model (Logit Model). The majority of participants were female (65.6%), aged 21 or older (85.2%), and in their 4th grade of study (35.2%). There were no significant differences in PCS scores concerning gender, age, grade, type of residence, and residence location (p &gt; 0.05). However, PCS scores were significantly higher among those who listed dentistry among their top five preferences, expressed high satisfaction with education, and demonstrated high professional interest (p &lt; 0.05). A significant, positive correlation was observed between PCS and RSES (r = 0.398; p &lt; 0.01), DLS (r = 0.404; p &lt; 0.01), preference (r = 0.120; p &lt; 0.05), education satisfaction (r = 0.298; p &lt; 0.01), and occupational interest (r = 0.502; p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the Logit Model analysis revealed that RSES (B = 0.290; p &lt; 0.01), DLS (B = 0.258; p &lt; 0.01), education satisfaction (B = 0.806; p &lt; 0.05), and occupational interest (B = 3.825; p &lt; 0.01) significantly influenced PCS. The findings underscore self-esteem and digital literacy’s integral role in shaping dental students’ perceptions of their professional abilities. Digital literacy is a substantial pillar supporting students’ professional competency. Coupled with a genuine interest in the field and bolstered self-confidence, digital literacy proves instrumental in enhancing students’ academic success in dentistry. By emphasizing and expanding upon digital literacy content within the curriculum, universities can further propel advancements in the dental domain. As such, it is pivotal for dental institutions to weave strategies into their educational fabric to elevate students’ self-esteem and digital proficiency.

Relationship Among Teachers’ Occupational Interests, Job Satisfaction and Performance in Government Secondary Schools in North Central Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship among teachers’ occupational interests, job satisfaction and performance in government secondary schools in North-Central Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey design using teachers in government secondary schools in the North-Central Geopolitical zone of Nigeria. A sample size of 384 teachers comprising 153 males and 231 females participated in the study through stratified random sampling procedure. Three instruments were used for the study – Vocational Interests Inventory (VII) Job Satisfaction Inventory for Teachers (JOSIT) and Teachers Job Performance Inventory (TEJOPI). The reliability of the instruments was determined through test re-test method using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient which yielded reliability indices of 0.92, 0.84 and 0.81 for VII, JOSIT and TEJOPI respectively. One research question and three hypotheses guided the conduct of the study. Data generated was analyzed using mean scores and standard deviation for the research question. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for hypotheses one and two while Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test hypothesis three. The findings revealed that teachers in government secondary schools in North-Central Nigeria were dissatisfied with their jobs as reflected in the sectional mean of 2.712. The findings further revealed that a significant relationship existed between occupational interests and job satisfaction but not with job performance. The findings further indicated that there was no significant relationship between jobs satisfaction and Job performance. The researcher recommended among other measures, that government as the major employer of labour should ensure periodic improvements in the working conditions of teachers to enhance their job satisfaction and boost productivity.

Developing academic coaches: The efficacy of psychometric tests for cultivating ‘business ready’ graduates

This scientist-practitioner study investigated the effectiveness of psychometric-informed academic coaching sessions for cultivating ‘business ready’ graduates. Sixty undergraduate student coaches consented to evaluate the academic coaching provision, which comprised both coaching sessions and materials. Materials included Business Graduate Work Readiness Scale (BGWRS), Occupational Interests Profile (OIP), and Competency Evidence Log (CEL); provided by 10 trained academic coaches, trained in coaching skills, and psychometric test use. Multi-methods were used to gather data. This included a focus group interview, reflective essays, and evaluation forms. Findings suggest that psychometric knowledge helped to raise coach’s self-awareness, and understanding of careers that would fit their personality, including the knowledge and skills they should develop to ensure their readiness.

Effects of a Neutral Response Option on Occupational Interest Circumplex Fit

Abstract: Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the structural validity of Holland’s circular/hexagonal model in two versions of a commonly used Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional (RIASEC) occupational interest measure – one that used items with a neutral response option ( unsure) and one that used items without a neutral response option. Method: These comparisons were made using a sample of 1,025 undergraduate university business majors. A two-group Cosine Function Model (CFM) implemented in standard structural equation modeling software was used to investigate the circumplex fit across the two versions of the assessment. Results: CFM analyses suggested a high level of equivalence across versions such that (1) the correlation matrix of each group shows a good fit to the RIASEC circumplex, and (2) the two correlation matrices are essentially identical. Conclusion: The neutral response option (or lack thereof) did not seem to affect model fit. The generalizability of these results should be explored in future studies.

A Person-Centered Approach toward Balanced Gender Identity in Emerging Adults: Associations with Self-Esteem and Attitudes about Education

Balanced identity theory (BIT) has played an important role in research examining women’s underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Yet, BIT’s main balanced-congruity principle has not been tested specifically for gender-science cognitions. Additionally, BIT’s predictions have been tested primarily from a variable-centered approach. The current study therefore examined whether (1) gender-science cognitions form a balanced identity configuration; (2) different identity profiles can be distinguished; (3) identity profiles differ in background characteristics, study motivation, and self-esteem. Dutch emerging adults (18–25 years old) enrolled in education (N = 318, 51% female) completed a gender-science Implicit Association Test (gender-science stereotypes) and questionnaires assessing felt similarity to males and females (gender identity), interest in science and liberal arts occupations (occupational self-concept), self-esteem, and study motivation and engagement. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed multiplicative interactions between gender-science stereotypes, gender identity, and occupational self-concept, providing evidence for a balanced identity configuration. Furthermore, latent profile analyses revealed three balanced identity profiles and two unbalanced profiles. Unbalanced identity profiles were characterized by non-Dutch ethnicity, lower educational level, and living independently without parents. The identity profiles did not differ in self-esteem and study motivation. Future research should examine the longer term consequences of unbalanced identity for academic and career pursuits.

Faking resistance of a quasi‐ipsative RIASEC occupational interest measure

AbstractQuasi‐ipsative (QI) forced‐choice response formats are often recommended over single‐stimulus (SS) as a method to reduce applicant faking. Across three studies we developed and tested a QI version of the RIASEC occupational interests scale. The first study established acceptable reliability and validity of the QI version. The second and third studies tested the efficacy of the QI version for faking prevention in simulated job applicant scenarios. The results revealed that although the QI and SS formats were similarly fakable for the primary targeted interest, faking was limited for the secondary target on the QI version. Future research should identify the specific contexts in which QI prevents faking on various individual differences measures to allow for accurate recommendations in applied settings.

Modelling university students’ preferences and interconnectedness among various careers/occupations in Ghana

The incongruity between academic programmes pursued and the career path among graduates in recent times suggests that career path does not always lead to programme choice and vice versa. Different occupations/professions not directly found in the area of academic programmes pursued could appeal to graduates. This study sought to examine how the various occupations/professions in Ghana appeal to university graduates. This study modelled university students’ preferences and interconnectedness among various careers/occupations in Ghana. The descriptive survey design was used. The census technique was used to capture all 144 final-year university students pursuing a BED accounting programme with a university in Ghana. Data were collected using an adapted Occupational Inventory Profile ((OIP) and data were analysed with the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). The study found that technological activities, mathematical computation activities, managerial-clerical activities, scientific research activities, persuasive-enterprising activities, and fine art activities significantly predicted mechanical-technological occupation, mathematical computation occupation, managerial-clerical occupation, science research occupation, persuasive-enterprising occupation, and fine art occupation. Additionally, there was also strong interconnectedness between the six various occupations among BED Accounting students in Ghana. Though the career path of BED accounting students does not generally agree with the realistic and artistic personality type, the study found that these students have a significant interest in activities and occupations in line with these personality types. This suggests that the personality of university students studied had an interest in several occupations not trained for, suggesting that they had a combination of personality types in varying degrees for the various occupations studied. Therefore, it was recommended that teaching pedagogies should vary and the government should create more employment opportunities to better prepare graduates to pursue careers outside what they were trained for. Graduates should also be equipped with skills and resources to be able to create their own jobs in their areas of interest outside or along their professional training. The theoretical and other practical implications of the findings of the study have also been adduced.

Correlational Analysis on Stem Students’ Ncae Scholastic Aptitude, Track Preference, and Occupational Interest, with SHS Academic Performance

In the “new normal,” a non-paper-and-pencil admission process becomes a challenge. This correlational analysis aims to choose possible admission candidates for SHS STEM strand by determining possible connections between the NCAE General Scholastic Aptitude (GSA), STEM Strand Preference (SSP), and Area of Occupational Interest (AOI), with the academic performance (AP) of STEM students of Ateneo de Iloilo (ADI) Senior High School (SHS). The study covered 124 STEM students data protection protocols. It showed that Ateneans have Proficient (85.6%; SD=3.13) AP and Above Average NCAE GSA (school: 93.95%; national: 37.87%) and SSP rating (90.92%). There is also a significant difference in the GWA if classified according to GSA (p=0.00), SSP (p=0.00), and AOI (p=0.031). There is a strong positive correlation (r=0.646, p=0.00) in the students’ GWA and GSA. The same was likewise observed in students’ Grade 11 performance (except PE) and their corresponding GSA areas: scientific ability, reading comprehension, verbal ability, mathematical ability, and logical reasoning ability. The study suggested that the direct relationship between NCAE and Grade 11 AP validates the efficacy of the NCAE instrument as guide in career/strand advising and in approximating students’ potential AP in Grade 11.

Educational choice has greater effects on sex ratios of college STEM majors than has the greater male variance in general intelligence (g)

In STEM fields other than biological sciences (math-intensive STEM), there is a greater ratio of males to females (M:F ratio) than that of the general population. The Ability Distribution Hypothesis suggests that this is mainly due to greater male variance in g. Others hypothesize that this is due to sex differences in occupational interests. There has not been an empirical study to evaluate which kind of differences has greater effects on the M:F ratios in math-intensive STEM fields. To fill the gap, we examine the test scores, application for majors and final admissions in a complete dataset of college entrance. We study the M:F ratios of four math-intensive STEM majors: Economics, Engineering, Computer Science and Physical sciences and Math. In summary, we find that greater male variance exists in total test scores; greater male variance partially explains the female underrepresentation in the upper tails of total test scores; men appear to have stronger interests in Engineering and Computer Science than women, while women appear to have stronger interests in Economics and to a lesser extent Physical sciences and Math than men; compared to sex differences in test scores, sex differences in major-choosing appear to have stronger effects on the M:F ratios of math-intensive STEM majors.