THE IMPACT OF CAREER CHOICE PROCESS ON APPLICANTS

 
THE IMPACT OF CAREER CHOICE PROCESS ON APPLICANTS
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Currently, the problem of professional identity of young people is one of the
most important in terms of evolution of an individual as a full member of society. Thus,
choosing a relevant educational institution, as well as being prepared for possible changes
that occur on the way of professional development, is a very responsible step for each
person standing on the threshold of making a career choice.
The Theoretical Basis of the Career Choice Problem through Motivational
Factors
In the process of examining career choice problem, it is expedient to consider
the issue of motivation.
A motivational component that provides transformation of knowledge, skills and
abilities into the means of personal and professional growth contributes to the
achievement of professional excellence.
Motivation occupies a leading position in the structure of an individual’s
behavior and is one of the basic concepts that are used to explain the character of driving
forces and activities in general. It is a well-known fact that motivation is an impulse to
action, which is associated with a human natural desire to satisfy certain needs. In
psychology, motivation refers to a set of external and internal conditions that encourage
activities in different individuals1
. In sociology, the motivation is considered as
individual’s perceived need for achieving certain benefits2
.

1 Richard Breen, and Goldthorpe. “Explaining Educational Differentials: Towards a Rational Action Theory,
Rationality and Society”. Rationality and Society, 9, no. 3 (1997): 277.
2 Richard Breen, and Goldthorpe. “Explaining Educational Differentials: Towards a Rational Action Theory,
Rationality and Society”. Rationality and Society, 9, no. 3 (1997): 279.
THE IMPACT OF CAREER CHOICE PROCESS ON APPLICANTS
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Analysis of the studies devoted to the problem of motivation underlying career
choices reveals a wide variety of motives that influence of the professional self-efficacy.
In addition to economic motives (decent wages, availability of benefits), the
psychological reasons, such as self-esteem, recognition by others, job satisfaction, are
also important. It is evident that these kinds of motives are based on the study of human
needs, which gave rise to two global theories of motivation: the substantive and
procedural ones3
.
Consequently, it can be argued that there are many factors that influence the
choice of profession made by young girls and boys: the opinion of parents, peers, and
teachers, sex-role factors, the level of intellectual development, personal skills, as well as
a personal interest in a particular activity, which is also an important factor4
.
It is a well-known fact that most potential applicants face many problems, when
choosing their future professions. Consequently, confusion, embarrassment, perplexity,
and even frustration may accompany a young person. Thus, it is necessary to highlight
the so-called external motivational factors influencing an individual’s choice.
Among the external motivational factors, there are pressure factors - various
recommendations, advice, guidance from others, examples of movie heroes, or some
objective circumstances (health problems). The factors of attraction and repulsion involve
the examples from an individual’s immediate environment, the so-called ordinary

3 Nathalie Bulle, Sociology and Education. (New York: Peter Lang Press), 2008, 84.
4 Nathalie Bulle, Sociology and Education. (New York: Peter Lang Press), 2008, 84. 
THE IMPACT OF CAREER CHOICE PROCESS ON APPLICANTS
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standards of “social prosperity” (fashion, prestige, prejudice). 5Moreover, it is expedient
to consider the factor of “empty” motivation (this job is easy to learn; my friends did so;
this college is close to my house; the job is not very difficult, etcetera). Socio-economic
motivational factors are also very important. Thus, most applicants expect to get a job in
demand, which will eventually result in successful employment and decent remuneration.
The impact of internal motivational factors (personal, professional and life
plans) on career choice also should not be underestimated. Thus, a profession may attract
with its content, or a person may possess some practical qualities necessary for this
profession. The desire to benefit society, personal ambitions, claim to public recognition,
and the presence of interests, aptitudes and abilities are also can be regarded as crucial
internal motivational factors. 6
It should be noted that the less an individual is informed about the world of this
or that profession, his or her personal qualities, the more the external factors (parental
influence, material income, prestige of the profession, etc.) become dominant in career
choice.
In addition to various psychological phenomena regarded as a motive or
stimulus to work, great attention is paid to the interest, which is considere