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Career Choice Motivations of University Students

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  • Heiko Haase
  • Arndt Lautenschl?ger

Abstract

In view of the universities' role as a source of qualified labour, the paper aims at exploring what motivations determine students¡¯ career choice. Therefore, we performed a cross-sectional study of the underlying motives for the career intentions of 645 students from two German universities. The findings reveal that the motives can be grouped and systemised into the main components ¡®Status orientation¡¯, ¡®Self-realisation¡¯ and ¡®Self-determination¡¯. In our sample, these categories and the underlying motives are to a certain extent relevant for self-employment, but less for dependent employment alternatives. In particular, ¡®Self-determination¡¯ was found to be inherent for any type of self-employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Heiko Haase & Arndt Lautenschl?ger, 2011. "Career Choice Motivations of University Students," International Journal of Business Administration, International Journal of Business Administration, Sciedu Press, vol. 2(1), pages 2-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:jfr:ijba11:v:2:y:2011:i:1:p:2-13
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    1. Nora Hesse & Jürgen Brünjes, 2018. "How entrepreneurial are students who intend to become academics? – A study of career motives," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 38(1), pages 27-52, February.
    2. Cristian MARINAS & Ramona Stefania IGRET & Simona Irina AGOSTON, 2014. "Students’ Career Motivation €“ A Pilot Study," Proceedings of the INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 8(1), pages 973-980, November.
    3. Jaquiline Amani, 2013. "Social Influence and Occupational Knowledge as Determinants of Career Choice Intentions among Undergraduate Students in Tanzania," International Journal of Learning and Development, Macrothink Institute, vol. 3(3), pages 185-193, June.
    4. Nora Hesse, 2015. "Students' Career Attitudes - How Entrepreneurial Are Prospective Scientists?," Working Papers on Innovation and Space 2015-03, Philipps University Marburg, Department of Geography.

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