Career aspirations of undergraduate economic students
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Date
1999
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Abstract
Since the emergence of the new democratic dispensation in the South African political arena, promises of more work opportunities, and hence a better life-style for the previously deprived citizens, inundate the media. The financial staff of the Sunday Tribune (February 9, 1997 :1) state that the government has committed itself to a coherent market-oriented economic growth plan in its Growth, Employment and Redistribution strategy (Gear). There appears to be tremendous shortages of personnel skilled in the economic sciences and as a result more students have undertaken to study economics so that they may have the necessary qualifications to gain access to these economically-linked careers. By directing this research specifically at the career aspirations of undergraduate economic students, much could possibly be done in teaching, and guiding them toward the realisation of their aspirations.
The aims of this study were:
* To pursue a study of relevant literature on achievement motivation, career choice and the self-concept.
* To undertake an empirical investigation into the career aspirations of a group of undergraduate economic students at the University of Zululand, Durban-Umlazi campus.
* To provide certain guidelines and recommendations regarding the inclusion of economics in a university curriculum that may help the student realise his career aspirations.
Research with regard to this study was conducted as follows:
* A literature study of available, relevant literature.
* An empirical study comprising self-structured questionnaires completed by 304 undergraduate economic students of the University of Zululand (Durban-Umlazi Campus).
The findings revealed, inter alia, that there are more female students engaged in further tertiary education; some students find it difficult to obtain career information; great difficulty is experienced by some students in getting to 'know themselves'; some students are not adequately trained in decision-making skills, and there is a limited number of trained vocational guidance counsellors to help them with career related problems.
In the light of the aims and findings of the study, the following were recommended to tertiary educational institutions: provision of career resource centres; availability of trained vocational and subject advisors; establishment of employment contact offices, and an active mechanism should be set in motion to assist students to 'know themselves' and to develop their decision-making skills.
This investigation has the following value:
* It provides information on necessary prerequisites to enter economic-related careers.
* The research served as an indicator of the relevance of economics in certain career aspirations.
Description
Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Zululand, 1999.
Keywords
Career education., Career choice, Career aspirations