AN ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENTS' DECISION-MAKING POWER CONCERNING CAREER CHOICES

Abstract

This study aims to advance the understanding of how psychological factors influence students' career choices by exploring their interplay and impact. Students often pursue careers that align with their personal values, seeking congruence between their professional ambitions and personal identity. Intrinsic motivation, a significant factor in career commitment, drives students to engage deeply with their chosen fields. The study employs a quantitative methodology, utilizing a structured questionnaire to collect data on students' perceptions of their career choices. This closed-ended questionnaire features a five-point Likert scale to gauge the intensity of students’ responses to various statements related to psychological influences on career decisions. The data collected through this instrument was analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean scores, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages. It was found that the relationship between poor career choice with high career anxiety is shown. Students who had high degree of anxiety would end up being stressed with their careers and this would affect their rational decision making capacities. It ws also revealed that more positive attitudes regarding the choice of a job have been registered by the students representing the middle economic status, in comparison to their colleagues occupying lower positions in the socioeconomic ladder.

Key Words: Professional Career, Undergraduate Students, Career Choices