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The influences and motivations on which students base their choice of career

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journal contribution
posted on 2007-02-07, 11:01 authored by Bromley H. Kniveton
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.

History

School

  • Social Sciences

Department

  • Communication, Media, Social and Policy Studies

Pages

77097 bytes

Citation

KNIVETON, B.H., 2004. The influences and motivations on which students base their choice of career. Research in Education, 72, pp 47-57

Publisher

© Manchester University Press

Publication date

2004

Notes

This article was published in the journal, Research in Education [© Manchester University Press].

ISSN

0034-5237

Language

  • en