The Influences and Motivations on Which Students Base Their Choice of Career

The aim of the study was to examine the influences and motivations, on which students base their choice of career. 348 young people aged 14-18 years, completed a questionnaire and took part in an interview concerning their choice of career. It was found the greatest influence on their choice of career was their parents, followed by that of their teachers. There was evidence of gender differences, with same sex parental influences. Although seeking further education was the most popular next step for most respondents, marriage was more important to females than to males. Overall motivation to work was found primarily to involve money, and liking for the job. Very low on the list were long term goals, such as personal development, career advancement, and pensions. Most noticeably, the students considered status was derived from possessions, rather than employment. It was suggested, a consequence of this was that employers options to motivate workers were very limited. It was hoped, the profile of career influences and motives, would be helpful for teachers with responsibility for careers guidance. Teachers, with responsibility for careers guidance, are operating in a rapidly changing society. It is the aim of this study is to provide a current profile of the influences and motives, related to student career choices. According to Alberts et al (2003), choice of career is one of the major areas of concern for young people nearing the end of their schooling. The influences are complex for, Ginzberg et al. (1951) argue, the choice of career is also influenced by the young person's conceptualisation of his or her abilities and preferences, and the pursuit of a match between these and job requirements. This in turn, is influenced by the young person's gender, and place in the family. The interaction between these forces has previously been demonstrated in studies concerning the selection of specific careers, such as nursing (Law and Arthur 2003), but, in the present study, a far more widespread impact will be examined.