Changing career choice factors as the economic environment changes

Abstract

This paper reports on a longitudinal study carried out amongst students at one South African university over three years. The research identifies changes in perceptions regarding the factors that these students consider important in choosing a career and pays attention to four groups, namely female non-computing major students, male non-computing major students, female computing major students and male computing major students. Interest in the subject remains the most important factor. Major changes were identified regarding how important self-efficacy is considered to be and the importance of career progress. Another important finding is that male computing major students appear to be totally re-evaluating their beliefs regarding what is important in choosing a career. The third finding relates specifically to changes regarding self confidence in using computer technology amongst male students regardless of whether they are intending on taking computing and non-computing third year courses.

Events that lead university students to change their major to Information Systems: A retroductive South African case

“…These factors also appear to be contextual and vary between high school and university. For example, parents have been shown to be a prominent source factor at high school, while teachers and career advisors are rated poorly (Alexander & Twinomurinzi, 2012). In contrast, at university, the influence of other students has been found to be the only prominent source factor and plays a negative role in terms of IS attitude .…”

“…This would include computer self-efficacy as well as subject self-efficacy (Alexander & Twinomurinzi, 2012). These individual factors are considered experiential beliefs in TRA.…”

“…Factors that affect students choosing any computing degree and how the factors relate to students during their high school years have been extensively researched (Alexander & Twinomurinzi, 2012;Cohen & Parsotam, 2010;Seymour et al, 2005). Yet, not much research has been conducted after students have arrived at university and, to our knowledge, no study has looked at the sequence of events.…”

“…Research using TRA has mentioned difficulty of major as an experiential belief influencing career choice . SCCT research has also referred to subject self-efficacy concerns (Alexander & Twinomurinzi, 2012).…”

“…Recently, Grade 12 results have revealed a drastic reduction in the number of high school students writing mathematics (over 20%); this reduction translates into fewer students being able to choose to study computing at university (Deloitte South Africa, 2014). These two factors are contributing to a predicted worsening computing skills shortage in South Africa (Alexander & Twinomurinzi, 2012;Calitz et al, 2011;Cohen & Parsotam, 2010).…”