Naslov
Vocational and educational aspirations of young adolescents in Mediterranean Croatia

Autori
Blažev, Mirta ; Dević, Ivan ; Šverko, Iva

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, ostalo, znanstveni

Skup
4th Meditteranean Islands Conference

Mjesto i datum
Vis, Hrvatska, 14-17.09.2022

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
educational choice, career aspirations, adolescents, Mediterranean, socioeconomic status

Sažetak
At the end of the primary school students are making their first career decision as they need to decide which secondary school to enrol. Such career choice would, ideally, be in line with their interests, values and career aspirations regarding future profession as well as with labour market needs. However, frequently the labour market needs for certain professions at the national, regional, and local levels are not in line with the student’s career interests. The aim of this study is to examine the differences in the educational aspirations and career choices among primary school students in Mediterranean part of Croatia and the choices of their peers from continental Croatia. Since previous research has shown that individual and family characteristics of students are important factors related to the career choices, students’ gender and various indicators of family socioeconomic status were controlled. The study data were collected within the first wave of the Croatian Science Foundation project "Free Career Choice" that longitudinally examines autonomous career motivation and other career-related factors. The sample consisted of 1322 5th-7th grade primary school students (aged between 11 and 13 ; 49% of girls) from six primary schools in Mediterranean Croatia (N = 370) and ten schools in the continental Croatia (N = 952). Children filled out online questionnaire and besides sociodemographic data, answered questions regarding their career and school aspirations: “Do you know what you will do after primary school? Which secondary school do you plan to enrol? How confident are you in your choice? What occupation would you like to do in your future?” The regional differences in students’ aspirations have been identified in terms of secondary school choice and future occupation, after controlling students’ gender and socioeconomic status. Possible explanations of observed regional differences and observed regional-specific linkages with labour market needs were further discussed.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

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