Academic and professional decisions of preuniversitary students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The objectives of this study are to identify the demand for university courses and to distinguish which factors most influence the decision to choose a particular area of study in order to improve the orientation process: satisfaction with said choice, employment prospects, vocational objectives, course expectations and socio-professional competences. METHOD. A descriptive study based on an analysis of multiple replies to the ad hoc questionnaire ORIENTAUNI. The sample consists of 624 men and 939 women enrolled in 23 educational centres distributed throughout the three provinces that comprise the autonomous region of Aragon. RESULTS. The study has enabled us to identify four student profiles: 1) students who aim specifically for university courses, most notably in the domain of sciences (Medical and Experimental Sciences); 2) highly motivated students who orient themselves towards the Humanities; 3) students who aim to improve their job prospects and opt for Social Sciences as well as Technical and Legal studies; 4) Indecisive students who are not quite sufficiently motivated to follow a university curriculum. Students selecting the first category of study (Medical and Experimental Sciences) prove to be highly motivated in applying themselves to the courses and gaining competence. The same can be said for those who opt for Humanities, although with a more marked professional/vocational orientation. DISCUSSION. A major part of the student body view a university education as a means of enhancing their career prospects, while certain others remain undecided vis-à-vis this possibility and therefore consider other training options and/or enter the labour market.