The graduate entry generation: a qualitative study exploring the factors influencing the career expectations and aspirations of a graduating cohort of graduate entry dental students in one London institution

Abstract

BackgroundDentistry in the UK has a number of new graduate-entry programmes. The aim of the study was to explore the motivation, career expectations and experiences of final year students who chose to pursue a dental career through the graduate entry programme route in one institution; and to explore if, and how, their intended career expectations and aspirations were informed by this choice.MethodIn-depth interviews of 14 graduate entry students in their final year of study. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis.ResultsThere were three categories of factors influencing students' choice to study dentistry through graduate entry: 'push', 'pull' and 'mediating'. Mediating factors related to students' personal concerns and circumstances, whereas push and pull factors related to features of their previous and future careers and wider social factors. Routes to Graduate Entry study comprised: 'early career changers', 'established career changers' and those pursuing 'routes to specialisation'. These routes also influenced the students' practice of dentistry, as students integrated skills in their dental studies, and encountered new challenges.Factors which students believed would influence their future careers included: vocational training; opportunities for specialisation or developing special interests and policy-related issues, together with wider professional and social concerns.The graduate entry programme was considered 'hard work' but a quick route to a professional career which had much to offer. Students' felt more could have been made of their pre-dental studies and/or experience during the programme. Factors perceived as influencing students' future contribution to dentistry included personal and social influences. Overall there was strong support for the values of the NHS and 'giving back' to the system in their future career.ConclusionGraduate entry students appear to be motivated to enter dentistry by a range of factors which suit their preferences and circumstances. They generally embrace the programme enthusiastically and seek to serve within healthcare, largely in the public sector. These students, who carry wider responsibilities, bring knowledge, skills and experience to dentistry which could be harnessed further during the programme. The findings suggest that graduate entry students, facilitated by varied career options, will contribute to an engaged workforce.

Expectativas de especialización profesional en estudiantes de odontología. Revisión de literatura

“…Es importante señalar que la especialización en cirugía bucal y maxilofacial no es homogénea a nivel internacional, ya que en algunos países es necesario un proceso de doble titulación; es decir, es necesario primero ser médico y luego odontólogo (12).…”

Valuing complex and diverse career pathways: the career trajectories and career-related choices of early career practitioners

“…Inconsistency is evident in Newton et al's (2011) Established Career Changers, who spoke of missing their previous work and of being motivated to gain qualifications because of the potential employment options, yet such issues were not mentioned by the Stayers in this study. Congruence is also evident between this study's False Starters and Newton et al's (2011) Early Career Changers, in that both types are younger overall.…”

“…For example, Newton et al's (2011) Established Career Changers are generally older and had had long established careers in the HCSA industry before commencing dentistry studies. Furthermore, Kubiak et al (2010, online) highlight a group of students' with "fragmented employment patterns, underpinned by consistent threads of a vocation devoted to working with people".…”

“…For instance, in addition to the Established Career Changers and Early Career Changers, Newton et al (2011) identify students Pursuing Routes to Specialisation, who were older overall, and who were undertaking dentistry studies after completing medical training in order to specialise in maxillofacial surgery. A similar career pattern was not evident in the current study, with the exception of one participant, a Late Starter who had completed a Masters of Nursing for the sole purpose of furthering her nursing career in the mental health sector.…”

Perfil psicológico e interesses profissionais de estudantes de odontologia

“…Na busca de informações a respeito das razões para a escolha pela graduação em odontologia, o fator "Vocação" foi o mais assinalado (54,94% dos alunos), assim como em Perri de Carvalho (1996), Gushi (2004), Casalechi et al A opção sucesso financeiro foi a menos escolhida (9,88%) pelos alunos participantes, resultado oposto ao encontrado por alguns autores que a trazem como a principal razão para a escolha da profissão (Costa et al, 1992;Al-Bitar et al, 2008;Aguiar et al, 2009;Baharvand et al, 2011); outras pesquisas, em consonância com o presente estudo, citam-na como motivo, sem destacá-la como principal (Brand et al, 1996;Vigild;Schwarz, 2001;Orenuga;Da Costa, 2006;Gallagher et al, 2007aGallagher et al, , 2007bNewton et al, 2011).…”