Career Perceptions Of New Graduates: Anadolu University Example

Career planning during university education is important for students to facilitate employment, to develop their abilities in the area they are interested in, and to get used to the professional life. Universities increase their effort to support students in career planning through activities such as raising student awareness regarding career planning, supporting students in career planning, establishing a career center/office, providing guidance and advisory services, incorporating career related courses in curriculum, and making seminars, are observed more often in universities. It is, however, observed that students do usually make career related investments only after the graduation, implying that they are not aware of the importance of such planning during their undergraduate years. This research aims to determine students’ perceptions regarding career planning. It is based on a survey of 2901 graduates with undergraduate degrees from Anadolu University conducted from May 1st to May 31st, 2011. Data has been collected through a survey and analyzed with t- tests, chi-square tests, frequencies and percentages. Based on the research, it is found that students do not have access to necessary guidance regarding career related decisions, that students make their decisions based on traditionally popular career paths, that monetary compensation dominates career improvement, that students tend to obtain a master’s degree prior to professional life, that they are familiar with career websites, and that female students are more aware of the importance of career planning relative to male students.