Students' Educational Preferences And Occupational Aspirations
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Date
2005-12
Authors
Karupiah, Premalatha
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Educational preferences and occupational aspirations of students from three
educational stages were investigated. Quantitative data were collected from three
samples of approximately 500 students each: form five students in the states of Kedah
(excluding Pulau Langkawi) and Penang; first year students In Universiti Sains
Malaysia (USM, excluding Kubang Krian branch); and final year students in USM
(excluding Kubang Krian branch). Two samples of 15 first year and 15 final year USM
students were drawn for qualitative data collection. Quantitative and qualitative data
analyses were used to determine factors that influence students' educational
preferences and occupational aspirations. The process of making occupational choices
spans over many years. Students' educational preferences and occupational
aspirations have a reciprocal relationship with one another. The process of
occupational choice for students who are in their late adolescence and early adulthood
can be divided into four stages: during secondary school; while applying for a
bachelor's degree programme; when accepting and enrolling in a bachelor's degree
programme; and, prior to the completion of a bachelor's degree programme. The three
most important variables influencing students' occupational aspirations found from the
quantitative data analysis are students' results, father's education and father's
occupation. Other than these variables, gender, ethnicity and mother's education show some influence on students' occupational aspirations. Students' results, father's
occupation, father's education and mother's education show influence on students'
educational preferences. The analysis of qualitative data on the other hand, yielded
results of students, parents' expectations, interests and job opportunity as some of the
factors influencing students' educational preferences and occupational aspirations.
These four factors were the most common factors mentioned by the first and final year
students when interviewed.
Description
Keywords
Social sciences , Occupation