Session 4a

Students’ work aspirations among employed/ unemployed students and the link between aspirations and employability

Dr Sumeetra Ramakrishnan, Senior Lecturer in International Tourism & Hospitality, Middlesex University London

Abstract:
This study aims to analyse students’ work aspirations and establish patterns among employed/ unemployed students and the link between aspirations and employability. Tourism, an industry with multiple opportunities quite often finds students coming in with a multitude of aspirations, and motives. In order to support the students in achieving their ambitions, it is vital to understand and nurture their aspirations. Their choices and reasons for undertaking placements and internships provide a small but significant glimpse into their career aspirations, understanding which will benefit student support through learning opportunities and career development support.




Session summary:
This study aims to analyse students’ work aspirations and establish patterns among employed/ unemployed students and the link between aspirations and employability. Tourism, an industry with multiple opportunities quite often finds students coming in with a multitude of aspirations, and motives. In order to support the students in achieving their ambitions, it is vital to understand and nurture their aspirations. Their choices and reasons for undertaking placements and internships provide a small but significant glimpse into their career aspirations, understanding which will benefit student support through learning opportunities and career development support. The study aims fit in well with the conference agenda of teaching at a time of uncertainty, through providing an insight into students’ cognition of their aspirations.

Graduates are entering a world of uncertainty in terms of both employment and career opportunities (Gutman and Schoon, 2012). Globalization has increased competition, raised expectations and standards and tightened the availability of jobs, particularly for graduates (Danziger & Ratner, 2010). Students now feel under increasing pressure to embark on full time education whilst gathering work experience in a race to become and be perceived as employable (Auger, Blackhurst, and Wahl, 2005).

In the career development literature occupational “aspirations” are considered to be an expression of the individual's ideal career goals and are differentiated from occupational “expectations,” which are considered to be an expression of the individual's realistic or likely career goals (Rojewski, 2005). There is plenty of evidence that suggests that individuals with high aspirations are more likely to enter high status occupations and careers of their choice compared to those with lower aspirations (Schoon & Parsons 2002). This is partly attributed to the underpinning of relevant education, training and work experience undertaken by students with high aspirations (Rojewski, 1997).

The study identifies the aims and ambitions of first year students as they embark on their undergraduate journey. Details of their educational background, work experience, rationale for undertaking the course, expectations from the course and career ambitions were gathered through a questionnaire distributed at the start of the first term. Information was collected on their placement and internship plans, as well as reasons for not choosing a placement or internship where relevant. The findings provide some interesting insights to the circumstances and ambitions of the cohort, that will enable both academics and career support staff to assist students in their career aspirations.

References
Auger, R.W., Blackhurst, and A.E. Wahl, K.H. (2005) The Development of Elementary-Aged Children's Career Aspirations and Expectations. Professional School Counseling, Vol. 8, Issue 4, pp322-330

Danziger, S., & Ratner, D. (2010) Labor market outcomes and the transition to adulthood. The Future of Children, vol 20, pp 133–158

Gutman, L.M. and Schoon, I (2012) Correlates and consequences of uncertainty in career aspirations: Gender differences among adolescents in England, Journal of Vocational Behaviour, vol 80, pp 608–618

Rojewski, J. W. (2005). 'Occupational aspirations: Constructs, meanings, and application'. In S. D. Brown & R.W. Lent (Eds.), Career development and counseling: Putting theory and research to work (pp. 131−154). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.


Rojewski, J. W. (1997) Characteristics of students who express stable or undecided occupational expectations during early adolescence. Journal of Career Assessment, vol 5, pp 1−2

Schoon, I., & Parsons, S. (2002) Teenage aspirations for future careers and occupational outcomes. Journal of Vocational Behavior, vol 60, pp 262−288