A Comparative Analysis of Motivations for Occupational Choice or Preference between Professionals and Students

Abstract

The study attempted to determine the extent to which influences of motivational factors on occupational choice or preference differ between practising professionals and students who aspire for related occupations as well as how the influences of these motivational factors on job choice or preference differ across professions. Data generated through the administration of Bakares (1971) Motivation for Occupational Preference Scale (MOPS) to 205 professionals and 300 students were analysed using independent t-test and ANOVA statistical techniques. The results showed that these factors (external influence, extrinsic reward-oriented values, self-expression values, and people-oriented values) generally tended to influence students preference of occupations significantly more than they influenced professionals choice of these occupations. It also showed that professionals and students respectively differed significantly across occupations in the level to which each motivational factor influence their choice or preference of these occupations. Based on these findings, useful implications are drawn, and recommendations made for career counselling of students.




(IFE Psychologia (2002) 10(2), 47-61)