PSYCHO-SOCIAL FACTORS AND CAREER CHOICES OF

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

MARIA ASHFAQ

ROLL NO. 19

M.Sc. (REPLICA)

SESSION: 2019-2021

INSTITUTE OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB

LAHORE
 Psycho-Social Factors and Career Choices of Undergraduate Student

Submitted By

Maria Ashfaq

Roll No. 19

M.Sc. (Replica)

Session: (2019-2021)

Supervised by

Mr. Waqas Hassan

A thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of

Master in Applied Psychology

Institute of Applied Psychology

University of the Punjab

Lahore
Psycho-Social Factors and Career Choices of Undergraduate Student

Submitted by: Maria Ashfaq

Thesis Approval

Approved/ Rejected/ Sought Revision and Resubmission.

________________________

External Examiner

________________________

Supervisor

_________________________

Director

Institute of Applied Psychology

University of the Punjab, Lahore

Date: ___________
 (To be signed after the Viva – Voce Examination)

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST GRACIOUS,

MOST MERCIFUL

“He grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted

receives indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of
understanding.”

(Al Quran- Surah al-Baqarah 2:269)

 DECLARATION

It is certified that this MSc dissertation titled "Psychosocial Factors and Career

Choices of Undergraduate Students" is my original work. Its content was not already

submitted as a whole or in parts for the requirement of any other degree or qualification. It is

further certified that all material in this dissertation which is not my own work has been

identified and cited properly and that no material is included which has been submitted for

any other award or qualification.

______________

Maria Ashfaq

(Researcher)
 CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

Accepted by the Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab New Quaid-i-

Azam Campus Lahore in the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of MSc

Psychology Replica in social sciences institute of Applied Psychology.

Supervisor
Prof. Waqas Hassan
Institute of Applied Psychology
Quaid-e-Azam Campus
University of the Punjab, Lahore

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Innumerable thanks to ALLAH ALMIGHTY, whose unlimited and unpredictable

source of help made me able to win honors of life .If all the wood becomes pen and ocean

turn into ink even, then there are no words to laud ALLAH ALMIGHTY.

I pay my gratitude and prayers to the Allah Almighty, the most beneficial and the

most merciful, whose protection and affection we seek and enjoy. Especially praise is for our

beloved Holy Prophet (PBUH) who is an inspiration for all who seek knowledge and

complete guidance for humanity as a whole. I express deep gratitude and thanks to my

respectable supervisor Waqas Hassan who was instrumental for the completion of this study.

Her guidance, whenever I sought was always available. I attribute the success of my MPhil

degree to her encouragement and effort and without her this thesis would not have been

completed. May ALLAH Almighty give her healthy and blessed life always Ameen. I am

also very thankful to my parents and other family members for their encouragement,

motivation and appreciation, with their encouragement I am able to do work in better way. I

am also thankful to my Family for the joyful gatherings and all their support and cooperation,

and for best wishes.

Maria Ashfaq

iii
 Dedication
I Maria Ashfaq hereby declare that the work on which this thesis is based is my original work

(except where acknowledgements indicate otherwise) and that neither the whole work nor

any part of it has been, is being, or is to be submitted for another degree in this or any other

university. I empower the university to reproduce for the purpose of research either the whole

or any portion of the contents in any manner whatsoever.

______________
Maria Ashfaq
(Researcher)

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...................................................................................................... iii

DEDICATION ........................................................................................................................ iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................ v

LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................. vii

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ ix

CHAPTER-1 ................................................................................................................ 1

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1
Background and Context ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Statement of the Problem .................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Theoretical Framework ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Purpose and Research Questions of the Study .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Significance and Rationale of the Study ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
CHAPTER 2 .............................................................................................................. 11

LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................................... 13

Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 11
Section 1.............................................................................................................................. 12
Section 2.............................................................................................................................. 13
Section 3.............................................................................................................................. 14
Section 4.............................................................................................................................. 15
Section 5.............................................................................................................................. 16
Research Studies Conducted in the Pakistani Context ........................................................ 18
CHAPTER 3 ............................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................ 22

Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 22
Research Design.................................................................................................................. 24
Research Sites, Sampling, and Participants ........................................................................ 24
Participant Inclusion Criteria .............................................................................................. 24

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 Table 3.1 ................................................................................................................................. 25

Demographic information of the participants .................................................................... 25

Data Collection Methods .................................................................................................... 23

Data Analysis Methods ....................................................................................................... 23
Ethical Considerations ........................................................................................................ 26
CHAPTER 4 .............................................................................................................. 25

RESULTS ............................................................................................................................... 26

Introduction to the Chapter ................................................................................................. 27

Descriptive Statistics of Demographic of
Participants……………………………….27
Theme 1 .............................................................................................................................. 30
Theme 2 .............................................................................................................................. 33
Theme 3 .............................................................................................................................. 37
Theme 4 .............................................................................................................................. 38
Theme 5 .............................................................................................................................. 39
CHAPTER 5 .............................................................................................................. 41

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................... 43

Discussion of the Findings .................................................................................................. 44

Conclusion of the Study ...................................................................................................... 44
Implications of Research ..................................................................................................... 48
REFERENCES .......................................................................................................... 50
APPENDICES ........................................................................................................... 53

Interview Guide ..................................................................................................................... 64

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 3. 1: Demographic information of the participants ........................................... 39

Table 4.1: Descriptive statistics of participants age.................................................... 39
Table 4.2: Descriptive Statistics of participants Gender ............................................. 40
Table 4.3: Descriptive Statistics of participants education ......................................... 40
Table 4.4: Descriptive Statistics of participants work experience ............................. 41
Table 4.5: Descriptive of working hours………………………………………….. 42

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1 Conceptual Framework of the Study……………………………………………...9

Figure 3.1: Steps in reflective thematic data analysis. ............................................................ 22

viii
 ABSTRACT

Given investigation was purposed to identify the psycho-social factors that influences

the career choices and effected the way to choose career for undergraduate students. Group

of 7 students from their last semester of graduation were selected as sample using simple

random sampling to record their views of career choices effected by psycho social factors.

Selected students with age ranges (20-30) years both male and females were the participants

of the study. Data was collected in form of verbatim about career choices, difficulties in

decision making, psychosocial influences of family and society using interview guide

consisted of 20 questions through semi structured interview. Exploratory research design was

used under qualitative research design. Descriptive statistics was measured in form of

frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation for the personal characteristics of

participants. Thematic analysis was followed to code the participant‘s verbatim to make

subthemes and major themes. Results of the study revealed that Social Factors such as

Influence of Family Members, Education of Parents, Professional Experience of Parents and

Siblings, Information about Vast Careers, Economical Status and Living Area of Family,

Social Responsibilities, Teachers and Educators and Peer Influence tend to effects the career

choices of undergraduate students. Along with social factors Manny of the psychological

factors and perceptions of parents, parental attachment and psychological perspectives of

individual‘s life effects his or her career choice to a vast level i.e. Interpersonal Factors,

Psycho- Perception and Abilities, Personal Interest, Individuals Abilities, Self-Efficacy,

Professional experience, Professional Development, Quality of Education

And Outcome Expectations are psychological factors behind the career choices of

undergraduate students. Results of the study would be implement to improve the career

ix
decision through providing proper career counseling to the individuals who lack career

decision making power.

Keywords: Career Choices, Psycho-Social Factors, Peer Pressure, Family influence,

Economical Status.

x
 CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION

Regarding to education systems and qualities of development in career choices,

predisposition to and practice of achieving valued ends by creating, taking or pursuing

opportunities for change and innovation and finding new resources or utilizing in new ways

existing resources ( financial, material and human) is responsibility of a person with leading

qualities as professional. Academic Entrepreneur of education systems and professionalism

with positively over viewing and following the rules and actions for the betterment of new

career trainings. Any discussion regarding the concept of career choice rests on an

assumption that it can in some way be ‗differentiated from other forms of professionalism. It

is one which followed and Implement for increase rate of academic values in both social and

learning point of view (Hentschke and Caldwell, 2007).

Making a career choice is becoming a major concern for almost every profession

either a psychologist or a practitioner researcher (Braunstein et all., 2012). Young adults‘

students are facing inability in their career decisions cue to instability of decision making

power influenced by social factors. Manny of the researches explain to explore the career

developmental issues and its importance in individuals life for future occupying profession

and commuting for a long term job. Ungraduated students are more prone to make career

related decisions and choices based on their abilities, expertise and availability of resources

than students with less education (Vignoli, 2009). Students worldwide are forced to make

their career choices on their potentials to increase their high income rates in future. Countries

developmental process and economy rate also fluctuate due to right career choices of
professional to put more in country‘s economy by their services and performance rate

(Braunstein et all., 2012).

1.1 Social Perspectives in Career Choices

1.1.1 Economic status

Socio-economic status have direct influence on career choice as it develop by the

cognitive theory of career decision making. Manny of the report searches explored the effects

of social economic status on individuals‘ perception and preferences to choose career.

Individuals with stable economic status have vast choices to select their majors at college

level because they have options to move on with their interest while those with lower

economic status usually want to involve in career with high earning. Moreover, individuals

belonging to low economic status have limited sources and choice in the selection of major in

college which effects their future career and professional life. It is very important to

understand the influence of socio-economic status and individual‘s background to understand

the level of difficulties he or she may feel in choosing a career (Arulmani , Lara & Easton,

2003).

1.1.2 Parental Influences

Parents are the vital influencers in the life of every individual. Regarding studies,

early education, selection of subjects and future career choice to be professional depends on

the keen observation of parents. Most of the students pursue the career and selection of

subject by modeling their parents i.e. students whose parents were doctors most probably

choose the career in medical rather than choose music as profession. Parental education their

demographic characteristics, career and psychological acceptance and perception tent to

build different expectation from their children. Most of the parents want their children to

2
choose those careers which yield high in respect and earning rather than bringing change in

society. That is why their children choose career beyond their interest and efficacy which

usually results in decreasing their capabilities (Shania & Javaid, 2019).

1.1.3 Social Preferable Career

Additional to social factors preferences of selective careers is also effecting the

student‘s career choices. Few of the careers i.e. doctors, engineer, armed officers, police

officers and teaching are noble profession and socially preferable. Students are forced by

family d social groups to choose these profession as they are highly demanded and high

earning professions. Undergraduate students try to enroll these profession as result of social

pressure that is why they mostly not suitable and capable for the selective profession (Slaney

& Brown, 2003).

1.1.4 Work Experience

Work experiences of students, their set patterns of abilities, cognitive skills and level

of understanding about the work nature influenced their future career to a vast level

(Loughlin & Barling,1996) Experience of work during adolescents effects the personality and

thinking pattern of an individual both in negative and positive perspectives. Work experience

during adolescents give confidence, self-acceptance and self- motivation along with courage

to do efforts for future career life. Work experience of parents and their professional life also

influenced the career development, understand and independence in their choices of better

career.

1.2 Psychological Factors in Career Choices

1.2.1 Decision Making

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 Self-confidence is a key to make decision regarding one‘s choice of career and

professional. Researches approved that highly sustainable professions i.e. technology,

engineering, medical and mathematics are the individuals have excellent decision power and

make the researched understand the j fluency of decision making power to raise their career

success. Researchers explore the lowering level student‘s preference towards their career due

to lack of critical skills of decision making and their high expectation to relay on family ad

parents for better career choice (Abe & Chinook, 2020).

1.2.2 Cognitive abilities

Cognitive abilities includes reasoning, perception, decision making power, high in

self-efficacy and self-motivation towards one‘s career choice. Cognitive abilities also

includes intelligence level which further contributes to increase individual‘s capabilities for

better career due to high performance in academics. Person with better cognitive abilities can

perform better in his career and have high professional expectation to meet rather an

individuals with low abilities (Findyartini & Sudarsono, 2018).

1.3 Why this Study is Different from others

Now days huge types of intricacies and different trials are experienced by career choices

issues connected their family residential area, knowledge about the importance of education

and having little resources. Society demands high quality education and fast growing change

in professional environment to raise their children better professional with suitable careers

leading to growing civilize (Xaba & Malindi, 2010; Eyal & Kark, 2004; Eyal & Inbar, 2003).

Our academic systems and academic choices now a day‘s lacking authorities who taking

responsibility to council our young adults‘ students to choose career subjects in college and

4
university courses which suits their interest and according to their capabilities. Rather,

students make mistakes to choose their career due to family pressure or social appreciation.

For example most of the students enrolled in medical and engineering field due to family

pressure and social acceptance of these profession rather they have interest in athletics or in

cooking. These wrong decisions effects the personal interest choices and future productivity

of individual services. There is immense need to study what type of abilities they have and

used to develop their personal interest and capabilities to choose career. Educational

institutions should also provide personal interest development tests before enrolling students

in different career programs or subjects so they get beneficial by their experience and

expertise. This study is different from others as it conveys the importance of career choices

beyond psycho-social factors which effects the right choices of career and subject

encouragement to increase future yield in sense of economy rates.

1.4 Problem Statement

According to Gaffner and Hazler (2002), almost 20 to 60 percent students more

incipient adults are undecided about the career choices in regard to chosen college majors

subjects and future career opportunities. Students who enrolled in college majors without

their choices or due to peer pressure are more certain in future career choices than those who

enrolled in college majors on their choice. Instability in profession influenced by Manny of

social and economic issues. Our psychological acceptances in way of respected profession

also tend to influence individuals career choices. In order to advise college students in the

career exploration process, there must be an understanding of the factors contributing to

students‘ inability to make career related decisions. So, there is immense need to develop

5
students understanding by such explorative researches showing the importance of personal

choice in career development.

1.5 Objectives of the Study

Given study was conducted to meet following objectives:

 To explore psycho social factors influencing career choices of undergraduate students

 To explore the effects of social and peer pressure to choose college majors to

maintain professional success.

 To investigate qualities, family economic background, and expertise to choose career

choices by undergraduate students.

 To explore academic background, credential scores in academics and their visionary

perspectives which influence their career choices.

 To identify the role of self-efficacy, self-confidence and motivation towards

professional life influencing students career choices.

 To explore the role of parent involvement and family pressure effecting the students

career choices of undergraduate students.

1.6 Research Questions of the Study

Following research questions were made based on objectives of study:

 What is the role of social pressure in career choices of undergraduate students?

 What are the psycho social factors effecting the career choices of undergraduate

students?

 How family economic status effects the student‘s career choices?

 How chosen majors in college studies effects the career acceptance in future?

6
  Is there any relationship between parental involvement and career choices of

undergraduate students?

 What is role of psychological perceptions and psychological acceptance in making

career choices by undergraduate students?

1.7 Conceptual Framework of the study

This study was aimed to explore effective‘s efforts of one social, psychological and

economical perspectives play role in career choice and professional success. Numerous

studies from variety of context and settings investigate conceptual framework of

psychosocial factors and career choice along with healthy educational systems which tend to

increase academic qualities of college and university going students. Characteristics of

psychological abilities including self-confidence, self-motivation, decision power and

cognitive abilities play the role of implementations and quality to develop one of the

important influential behavior of an individual (Tatlah, Iqbal, Amin,Quraishi, 2014).

Effect of psychosocial perspectives and concepts on the behavior and development of

choice to choose ones related subjects in school, colleges and university levels has been

explore independently and influence of parental authoritarian behavior on academic

motivations of students were also examined. Here some of the effects of psychosocial

perspectives (Tatlah, Iqbal, Amin,Quraishi, 2014).

1.8 Personality traits: A Psychological factor in career choice

Characteristics of personality always used to play vital role towards career choice and

professional development and chooser career and selection of subjects in every academic

organization. Features of personality served as key to success for development of effective

profession. Career choices of undergraduates are highly influenced through the pattern of

7
thinking that naked their personality. Some features of personality are including,

agreeableness, neuroticism openness, conscientiousness and extraversion, Personality traits

of academic entrepreneur distinct set of characteristics, as described by john (John et al.,

2008).

1.8.1 Openness to experience: Describes the breadth, depth, originality, and

complexity of an individual‘s mental and experimental life substitute as strongest restriction

to attain successful impartial academic systems and career choice up to their interest, efficacy

and capabilities. Person with this personality trait have ability of ‗earn from experience and

implement the experience in his or her choices.

1.8.2 Conscientiousness: Describes socially prescribed impulse control that

facilitates task- and goal-orientated behavior, a key pillar of leader as academic entrepreneur

and career development. This personality trait serves the individuals as flexible personality

having quality to mold them and their interest in every situation to attain their goals and for

the selection of expected career.

1.8.3 Extraversion: this personality trait refers energetic approach toward the social

and material world and includes traits such as sociability, activity, assertiveness, and positive

emotionality. Interpersonal communication depends on the extraversion trait of personality of

leader as an academic entrepreneur which provides a smooth surface to success.

1.8.4 Agreeableness: Contrasts a prosaically, psychologically and communal

orientation toward others perspectives of your career this personality trait antagonism and

includes traits such as altruism, tender-mindedness, trust, and modesty of one‘s self for the

abilities, courage and skills to develop a successful career and professional life.

8
 1.8.5 Neuroticism: Contrasts emotional stability and even-temperedness with

negative emotionality, such as feeling anxious, nervous, sad, and tense which further effects

one decision making power and result in lowering the motivation towards career success

(Obschonka, Moeller and Goethner, 2019).

Figure 1.1 Conceptual Framework of the Study

Family
professional
experience
Dynamic/Chang
Academic & Economical
Performance and Status
educational
Grades

Risk taking,
Psycho-Social innovative,
Factors for courage, efficacy
Career Choice and proactive
School Lead
Motivation and
External Focus approacj

Visionary skills

Flexible
Personality

9
1.6 Parameters of Psychosocial Effectiveness

1.6.1 Leadership Abilities in Career

Towards key to success and efforts to attain effectiveness for the success of

profession first attribute is quality leadership through leader as an academic entrepreneur.

Students perform better in professional success and when his social settings and peer group

members provide strong leadership in career. Effective leaders and professionals are visible,

can successfully convey the school's goals and visions and are involved in the discovery of

and solutions to problems.

1.6.2 High Expectations

The second attribute is having high expectations of students as well as teachers. High

expectations of students have repeatedly been shown to have a positive impact on student

performance, career choice and future professional life. Students are somewhat dependent on

the expectations placed on them during this period of their lives, as they are still shaping their

personal sense of ability and esteem. Teachers who are expected to teach at high levels of

effectiveness can reach the level of expectations, particularly when teacher evaluations and

professional development are geared toward improving instructional quality.

1.6.3 Ongoing Evaluation

The third attribute of a successful career choice is the ongoing screening of student

performance and development. Academic institutions should use assessment data to compare

their students with others from across the country. Effective use of assessment data allows

10
educational institutions to identify problematic areas of learning at the classroom and school

levels, so that teachers can generate solutions to address the problems.

1.6.4 Existence of goals

The fourth attribute of a successful career choice is the existence of goals and

direction, According to research, the successful actively in professional success is constructs

goals and then effectively communicates them to appropriate individuals (e.g., students,

teachers, and the community at large). Individual must be open and willing to incorporate

and innovation into goals for the processes of career choices and practices. So it's important

to invite input from all stakeholders in the process of developing career goals. Student

performance has been shown to improve in career where the entire community works toward

goals that are communicated and shared among all.

1. 7 Significance of the Study

Significance of the study is to recognize the reasons behind the lack of strategic and

task-oriented school leaders in schools. Lack of School Leader as an Academic Entrepreneur

towards goal-oriented behavior is very effective in learning and acquiring advance school

systems. Purpose of the study is to address activities at educational institutes that can result in

increasing social interactions among teachers and students, and to add more information of

strategies for advanced school systems. Study aimed to explore and ad in existing knowledge

about the steps that were taken by successful leaders to adapt higher ranks for their

organizations, so that their efforts can help other institutional owners.

This study would be beneficial for other government and semi government schools,

staff and teachers for their better understanding by impressive qualities of School Leader as

an Academic Entrepreneur behavior adopted by successful PEF schools to achieve healthy

11
academic quality school system as well as students‘ academic motivation will also affect by

this study in positive manner, and developing positive attitudes towards al challenging

situations (Lynch, 2016).

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 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Career Leading Behavior

Career leading behavior is usually referring to the behavior of an individual resulted

from self-motivation and interpersonal characteristics including his or her willingness,

decision making power and guide the team of participants towards career development and

professional process life expectations. Organizations worldwide focus on the importance of

leaders to raise the quality values of organization by joining the combine actions towards

their goals to deliver guidance for understanding company‘s areas play a vigorous role

(Smith, 2004; Eyal & Kark, 2004; Eyal & Inbar, 2003).

Miles (1969) in an analysis of organizational Health of Schools defined a healthy

system as framework of an open social system with fairly durable system properties.

According to Hoy & Forsyth (1986 and Miles (1969) Health of an organization focuses on

factors that facilitate and embedded the development of positive interpersonal relationship

within organization itself. Healthy school system is one in which harmonious relationship

exist between the staff and external individuals of all level. This healthy interpersonal

communication and relationship could only be possible to establish and maintained by

leadership strategies within school systems.

Now days huge types of complications and different tests are experienced by systems

connected their setups, quality of education in limited resources. Organizations worldwide

focus on the importance of leaders to raise the quality values of organization by joining the

combine actions towards their goals to deliver guidance for understanding company‘s areas

play a vigorous role (Xaba & Malindi, 2010; Eyal & Kark, 2004; Eyal & Inbar, 2003).

13
2.2 Historical Background of Leader Career Development

Concept of leadership abilities, attributes and importance in academic perspective

influencing students‘ career and professional life is not known few decades before. Concept

of leading attributes got importance in 1977 with its emerging in professional development.

Research articles and exploring the phenomenon of leadership along with its effects of

professional development. Leadership is of different types and styles which have different

effective tendencies towards career development of a particular student which result in

increasing the probability of positive behavioral outcomes. Regarding to the literature several

publications addressing the importance of leading behavior explained and one of those Troop

Leader Development Guide well known famous book had written that results in high

influence towards career. (Milindi, 2010).

Leadership features and assistances have enormous areas of achievement and many of

the issues inspiration this phenomenon in many ways, (i) Laissez-faire leadership (ii)

Authoritarian leadership and (iii) Democratic Leadership based on the styles of leading group

members of employees in school system. By studying these different types of leadership and

its influence they concluded the most product group of individuals were those who following

democratic type of knowledge strategies. That is, all the choices of group were not only taken

by front-runner but suggestions and willingness of all the member of the group were equally

important in decision making or finalizing a project. It was studies and observed that groups

who following democratic type of leadership were more strength and unite than other groups

were. A plan used democratic leadership; combine suggestion in scouting a plan is also

called patrol method (Ibran, 2017).

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 In 1950‘s leadership skills in career choices was highly appreciated and forced to

implement in armed forces of United States. Major concerns of their decision to implement

idea of leadership in career choices in commissioned and non-commissioned officers were to

develop fast task oriented and task achievement abilities. Many of programs were organized

and followed Human Resource Research office and as result of these trainings other smaller

organization also acquired these competency skills of leadership (Sierra, 2020).

2.3 Characteristics of Good Professional

Good career maker and professional is one having well developed cognitive, social

and psychological abilities. He is the one in crisis on organization to give direction to other

group members how to cope up and how to achieve goals by scattering the pieces. Being

professional an individual is responsible for decision empowerment, opportunities tackling

and competency enhancing planning for company. Because of formal presentation and

relationship a person considered as leader and he is responsible of providing confidence and

possession for higher ranks in an organization. Having good relationship skills and

knowledge to polish behavior using conditioning and rewards method is other characteristics

of leader. Organization can grown hundred times faster if they have capable leader in

extraordinarily cognitive abilities i.e. thinking, learning by experience, decision making,

memorizing and quick evaluating solutions for problem (Dienesch & Liden, 2011).

2.4 Leadership Styles in Career Making Decisions/ Professional Life

Leadership style in career refers to the way that leader use to provide direction,

suggesting possible solution, implementing plans, and encouraging people to perform better

in situation. Different researchers identified different styles of leadership that are effect in

different situations i.e. social, political, economic, business and other fields (Flamholtz,

15
2013). According to Flamholtz (2013) there are five different leadership styles leading the

influence on behaviour by directed essential to non-directive leadership styles. (i)Autocratic-

style of leading people is one in which complete authority of making decisions hold by the

leader. Not participant have right to argue or giving suggestion on any part f the problem,

only leader decide and let other individual about task or decision. (ii) Benevolence or

Ocratic- is type of leadership style in which leader decide what to do with taking decision but

he or she took consent of everyone before implementing plan. (iii) Consultative-leadership

style is one in which leader decide by himself but discuss decision with of members to get

their opinion of specific steps.(iv) Participative is leadership style in which all group

members combine took decision but not all their votes are equal for implementation of

decision.(v) congeries leadership style acquire team work and team performance. Every

individual of the group have equal right to give their opinion and not decision is taken until

every member of the group give their consent to be agree on one decision.(vi) Laissez-faire

style of leadership refers to avoidant behaviour by leader towards their employees and letting

them on their will what they want to do they can. These different types of leadership styles

are best use in situation that appropriate for the style and considered to obtained high level of

outcome.

2.4.1 Transactional leadership style

Transactional leadership is a style of leadership in which leader responsible to take

decisions for the group or organization but he or she engaged other participants of the firm,

company or class setting to give their decision in final decision. Leader can modify

employee‘s behavior by reinforcing through reward system of using punishment to obtained

expected desired behavior. It was suggested by the researchers transactional leadership style

16
leads to yield better opportunities of organization as one is omitted and effort to bound team

to work appropriately for the reward through rewards system (Thomas, 2020).

2.4.2 Situational leadership style

Situational Leadership style is one in which leader take decision and steps according

to situation, nature of task, and quantity of time to completion of task, nature of participants

of group or organization. This style of leadership may call adapted leadership style as is

efforts to adapt strategies and planning best for given situation. Many of the organization

need to equipped ne strategies to deal with issues experienced by you with rapid evaluation

in changing work environment, so this styles seems to best goal oriented and faster way to

achieve goal. Based on today‘s expectation and suggested by expertise Situational

Leadership styles have vast use and implementation worldwide (Thomas, 2020).

2.4.3 Autocratic leadership style

This leadership style refers to authoritarian leadership in which only leader have full

authority to take decisions for the company with little or no involvement of other participants

of group. Company‘s decision and improving steps are one individual control, ideas and

judgments than group suggestions for a particular task. This leadership style usually is short

term and totally depends of the applications of orders. This style usually acquired by the

leaders for specific tasks. Leaders with dominant personalities and selfishness usually go to

adapt this leadership style (Thomas, 2020).

2.4.4 Laissez-faire leadership style

Liassez-faire leadership style also called hand-off leadership as in this leadership

style leader usually experience lack of insight what going in organization and what should he

do as leader and what steps should be taken by him for the betterment of company. Usually

17
leaders have ambiguous or lack of defined approach to achieve specific goal which result in

unsupported, confused and shaky decisions for the company. Leader is one who effort to

reduce blockages in way of tasks and one to increase employees motivation, but this style

totally lack this characteristics.

2.4.5 Participative leadership style

Participative leadership style is one of the most effective leadership styles out of all as

it involves suggestions of employees in all or most of the decisions. Different ideas are

collected as a result of group participation prior to decide about projects and goals. One of

the characteristics of this style is impressive as it gives voice to their employees as the

looking forward for their suggestions and feedback which directly increase their working

behavior. Due to advanced nature of this style it vitally used in many organization worldwide

(Thomas, 2020).

18
 CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Purpose of the Study

Now days enormous types of complexities and different challenges in the form of

psycho-social factors are facing by students related their ups, quality of education, and

selection of majors in university academic system in limited resources to make career

choices. Society demands highly respected and high earning careers which results in fast

rising change in environment to able their society up to date and developed civilize (Xaba &

Malindi, 2010; Eyal & Kark, 2004; Eyal & Inbar, 2003). Our academic systems now a day‘s

lacking authorities who taking responsibility to lead other in way to incorporate for the

reputation of education and career choices. Parents should act like a net force for new formal

curriculum, trainings of their child to make them mentally strong to choose career according

to their interest and efficacy.

3.2 Research Design

Below qualitative investigate exploratory research intended was used to discover the

effects of psycho-social factors influencing the career choices of undergraduate students.

3.3 Population and Sample

Total 8 student participants from the faculty of social sciences were selected using

simple random sampling within group structure. Both male and female participants from

their last semester of graduation having age ranges 20-30 years of age were selected.

3.4 Techniques of Sampling

Within group purposive sampling techniques were used to select sample for the

purpose of research.

19
 3.4.1 Inclusion Criteria

 Both male and female students were included.

 Only students of Punjab University were included due their availability and

researchers convenience.

 Only students of last semester of graduation were selected.

 Students above the age of 20 were included.

3.4.2 Exclusion Criteria

 Students with any physical disability were not included.

 Students taking weekend classes were not included.

 Students from other departments than social sciences were not included.

3.5 Instruments

3.5.1 Demographic Sheet

Statistics for the study was composed by using demographic sheet counting all the

material of individual‘s personal features and about their academic modules. Parental

influences in career choice of the students was also asked by using questions of family

system, mother father alive, socio economic status. Participants age, gender, belonging area,

living systems of family and parents education and Poseidon also tend to fluctuate their

career choice which were also recorded using demographic sheet.

3.5.2 Information Sheet

Information sheet was used to briefed the research participants about the purpose and

process that researcher use to evaluate the results of the study. Participants were also

informed about the importance of their participation in the research and how their verbatim

20
are essential to make themes and sub themes of the study. Students were taken consent form

to insure their participation and views about career choice would be kept confidential and

only be used for research purposes.

3.5.3 Interview Guide

Interview guide was used to interview process containing all the questions addressing

effectiveness of psychosocial factors influencing career choice of undergraduate students. All

the perspectives of psychological perceptions of career choice and social perspectives

effecting career choice were asked in interview guide. Total 20-22 question measuring the

effects in different aspects were asked. Information sheet was used to inform participants

about the purpose of conducting research study and purpose of their involvement in research

was informed prior to enroll them in semi-structured interview.

3.6 Procedure

After taking permission from the department and concerned Educational Institutes for

data collection, students from different departments of social sciences were approached in

Punjab university of Lahore. Information sheet including information about research study,

its aim, need and what will be done by their response given prior to questionnaires. Students

were educated and confidentiality was maintained before taking their personal information

by insuring their information would only be used for research purpose. Questions were asked

in easy understandable language to avoid any confusing recording their answers. All the

terminologies in questions were translated in known words so students got able to record

their answers easily. After data collection further analysis were done accordingly.

21
3.7 Data Analysis Methods
Reflexive thematic data analysis (Braun, Clarke, Hayfield, & Terry, 2019) was used

to analyze interview data. This method of data analysis is conducted in six steps, which are

shown in the figure 3.1 below:

Familiarisation with Generating initial

Coding
the data themes

Defining and naming

Reviewing themes Writing up
themes

Figure 3.1: Steps in reflective thematic data analysis.

22
 After conducting thorough interviews from 8 participants who were students at

Punjab University Lahore using semi structured interviews. Verbatim of participants were

recorded and proper codes were made of similar statements.

3.7.1 Familiarization with The Data

Data was familiarized through proper recording of participants verbatim and

statements for further coding. Data for several questions of interview guide was conducted

through semi structured interviews of 20 participants.

3.7.2 Coding

Statement having same meanings and addressing the same issue were arranged to

form codes for further process of developing subthemes.

3.7.3 Generating Initial Themes

Based on codes initial themes were generated of clear concepts of participant‘s

responses that are important for the responsibilities and set patterns of efforts by the school

leaders as an Academic Entrepreneur.

3.7.4 Reviewing Theme

Initial themes were reviewed to avoid overlapping ideas and subthemes before

finalizing subthemes. Related subthemes were arranged for further evaluation of themes.

3.7.5 Defining and Naming Themes

Major themes about the psychosocial effects, strategies, planning and techniques used

to develop independent career choice were evaluated. These themes were clearly identified

the responsibilities of parents and efforts made by students in academic records for better

career choice.

23
 3.7.6 Writing up

Overall thematic analysis were wrote in modified form to give a complete outlook

over the major themes, subthemes and verbatim so it can further be helpful in discussing

results of present study with context to previous literature

3.8 Ethical Considerations

There were many types of ethical issues which the researcher had to pay attention to

for successful completion of this project. The most important consideration was linked with

the informed consent of the participants. All the participants were informed about the

purpose of this research and had given their informed consent to participate in writing by the

researcher. No one was forced to be a part of this research. The identity and names of the

participants are kept in strict confidentiality, thus meeting the requirements of the policy of

ethics of the University.

 Students were educated about the purpose and objectives of the research.

 Informed consent was taken prior to their participation in research.

 Permissions were taken for data collection from related departments.

 Work are carefully cited with the original source of data.

 Students were debriefed about the results and possible implications of the

study.

Table 3. 1: Demographic Information of the Participants

Participant Gender Age Academic Qualification Year/semester Unit/Department

1 Female 22 M.A Education 2nd years Punjab University

2 Male 23 M.Sc Applied Psychology 2nd years Punjab University

24
3 Male 25 MPhil Applied Psychology Last semester Punjab University

4 Female 21 MPhil Education Last semester Punjab University

5 Male 24 MSc Political Science Last semester Punjab University

6 Female 22 M.sc Economics Last semester Punjab University

7 Female 21 MPhil Islamiyat Last semester Punjab University

8 Male 21 MPhil Clinical Psychology Last semester Punjab University

25
 CHAPTER 4
RESULTS
After collecting systematic structured interviews from the students of last year of

graduation from different department of Punjab University Lahore, Statistical Package for

Social Sciences (SPSS version 21) software was used to analyze data in the form descriptive

frequency and percentages for their demographic characteristics. Frequencies of participant‘s

demographics were calculated and inferential thematic analysis was followed to found the

significance of participant‘s verbatim to generate themes and subthemes‘ for factors effecting

career choices. By the perception of researcher descriptive statistics and thematic analysis

role of parents and academic teachers, social settings and peer influence was also measured

through participants verbatim. Number of resistances in their way of struggle for success

were also acknowledged in this chapter.

By applying the application of descriptive statistics is the requirement of our data

were recorded by using interview guide and demographic sheet consisting of 20 open ended

questions related students choice making about their career and professional life. Moreover,

their way of handling problematic situations was also addressed. Statistically package for

social sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyze data in the form descriptive frequency,

Mean and Standard Deviation for the data.

26
4.1 Descriptive Statistics of Participants Demographics

Table 4.1: Descriptive of the Characteristics of Participants Geographic Information

(N=7)

Variables Category Frequency Percentage Mean SD

Gender
Male 1 14.2%
1.500 .501
Female 6 86.8%

20-22 3 42.8%
Age
23-25 3 42.8% 2.87 .361
26-30 1 14.2%
M.phil
3 42%
Education Msc
3 42% 2.295 1.503
M.A
1 14.2%

Belonging
Area Urban 5 71%
2.54 .941
Rural 2 29%

Religion Muslim 6 85.7%

3.41 .505
Non-Muslim 1 14.2%
Monthly 20,000Rs-50,000Rs 1 14.2%
Income 60,000Rs_80,000Rs 2 29.3% 3.84 .304
above 1 Lac 2 29.3%

Table 4.1 indicates that gender responses the male frequency of respondents was 1

and had percentage of 14.2 % and female frequency of respondents were 6 and had

percentage of 86%. According to the age frequency of respondents of coding (20-22) were 3

while percentage of respondents is 42. 0%, second age group was (23-25) respondents had 3

27
frequency and their percentage is 42.0% and third age group was (26-30) respondents had 1

frequency and percentage was 14.0% respectively. According to education and program of

degree of participants there were respondent with MPhil level of education were 3 and their

percentage was 42.0%, respondent of MSc level of education responses frequency was 3 and

their percentage was 42.0%, respondent of M.A degree responses frequency was 1 and their

percentage was 14.0%, respondent with other qualification i.e. diplomas in relevant fields

were not taken, while (M=2.925) and (S.D. =1.503). Belonging area of respondent‘s, urban

respondents had frequency of 5 and their percentage was 71.0% and rural respondents had

frequency 2 with percentage 29.0%.

Religion of respondent‘s, the respondents who were Muslims had frequency 6 with

percentage 85.0% and those who were non-Muslims had 1 with percentage 14.0%.

According to monthly income of the family, respondent of (20k to 50k) had frequency of 1

and their percentage was 14.0%, respondent of (60k to 80k) had frequency of 2 and their

percentage was 42.0 %, respondent of above 1 lac had frequency of 2 and their percentage

29.30%.

4.2 Thematic Analysis

4.2.1 Familiarization with Data

Rubin and Rubin (1995) asserted that qualitative interviewing brings new information

and provides the way to find out what others feel and think towards a specific perspective i.e.

social and psychological factors in career choice in current study. The qualitative data were

obtained from two sources; (a) an open-ended response item on the written survey and (b)

follow-up telephone interviews with a small number of volunteer participants who were

28
students (N=7). Data from the open-ended response were coded looking for emerging

themes.

4.2.1.1 Coding. Coding is a way of assigning some sort of shorthand designation to

various aspects of the data so that researcher can easily retrieve specific pieces of the data

(Merriam, 1998). This procedure was undertaken to see if the themes might be factors that

were listed in the fixed-response questions, or if themes existed that were not covered in

these questions. In the survey, the participants were asked to explain in their own words in an

open-response item why they chose to pursue a career in aviation. In the telephone interviews

they were asked the same question. This provided some test of reliability, determining if the

response from each participant were consistent.

Thematic analysis used to extract common themes, ideas and set patterns of

participants responses repeated over time. Analysis was conducted in precise manner through

demonstrating data conducted that disclosing the patterns of problems and effects that

psychosocial factors influence on individuals‘ choice of career and being professional. While

conducting rigorous and relevant themes researchers had great insight over the participants

verbatim and attitude during interview. Moreover, participant‘s way of portraying academic

achievement, quality education, their decision-making power and efforts to build advance

career choice and learning through environment at social level and in academic institutions

were also considered during thematic analysis. Themes and subthemes were the fine

representation of audio and textual responses from students selected from different

departments of Punjab University Lahore.

29
4.2.2 Coding from the Transcripts
Participant‘s responses were analyzed in form of codes to evaluate the initial themes.

Participant 1 focus on parental education under social factors as ―educated parents can

choose better study program and career for your children,‖ I want to be pilot in my life and

want to peruse air force as my professional platform but due to lack of my parental education

I lost the motivation and courage. A female participant response about the parental

educational and professional experience by saying ―my mother is a successful psychologist

so I choose the field of psychology as my career. ―Children use to copy their parent even in

pretend play as children, parents want to involve their children in same profession they are

perusing. On the other hand, ―some parents want their children to Peru the profession which

they didn‘t able to peruse in their life to fulfill their repressive wishes. ―Male participant

response of the influence of peer and college fellows as ―I took admission in MSc because by

best fried perusing MSc in Politian, another participant also focusses of peer influence in a

way that ―unused to check my convenience to go with my peer group because it seemed easy

to manage with the. A female participant response on the importance of peer influence in a

way that ―we used to copy our peer i.e. if most of our friends got admission in law we

automatically try to get admission in law and enforcement instead of following our interest

and abilities.

By reviewing the transcript on parental education and experience following codes

were generated

 Educated parents have vast knowledge of subject choice

 Parents who are doctors want their child to be doctor too

30
  Uneducated parent can not help their children to peruse good career choice

 Children use to copy their parents in education and career

 Individuals follow their peers

 Individuals depends on peer due to emotional attachment and conveniences

 I got admission in psychology because most of my friends did the same

By evaluating the effect of belonging area of participant transcripts shows some

verbatim including, ―belonging area directly affect rate of opportunities in way of your career

choice‖, ―people in urban areas had better opportunities of college and universities‖,

―students from rural areas have limited sources and knowledge‖ ― people form rural areas

awaited ti send their children to other cities of urban areas for further study and as result their

career is not develop in better way‖ ―individual belonging form rural and urban areas have

discriminations in thoughts and thinking pattern‖ ―our belonging area effects our way of

perceiving different career as negative because that are not socially acceptable‖

 Individuals from rural areas have limited sources

 Urban individuals have number of choices for college and universities

 Rural individuals have negative thinking abut some

In response to the question: what factors can affect a person psychologically while

making a career choice. Coding from the transcripts were generated as ―a student cannot

impress others without confidence, I lost my dream career because my parent didn‘t give me

self-confidence and motivation,‖ ―our internal and external both types of motivation help the

individuals to peruse their dream career and professional development‖ ―I used to exclude

from the group of my school class which develop sense of insecurity in my mind and still I

feel myself to be rejected from social gatherings‖ ―level of intelligence and cognitive abilities

31
help me to do good performance at my school which tend to increase my abilities to attain

more marks and CGPA‖. ―along with self- confidence, and motivation self-Efficacy also

reflect high impact on students career choice‖ ―feelings of I can do this, give me extra

courage and confidence‖‖ openness towards various subjects and techniques or level of

understanding deficit concept increase the abilities of mine‖

Following codes were generated form the above responses of participants transcripts

 Self-confidence gives better opportunities to grow

 Motivation from parents and peer can make impossible to possible

 Self- trust to do everything can help to do good creed development

 Cognitive abilities and

Table. 4.2

Major Themes and Sub-themes Developed from Participants Verbatim in Response to

Interview Questions
Familiar Codes Sub-Themes Major Themes
Educated parents have vast

knowledge of subject choice

Parents who are doctors want

 Influence of family
their child to be doctor too members
 Influence of parent‘s
Uneducated parent cannot help education
 Social
 Influence of
their children to peruse good Factors
professional experience
career choice of parents and siblings
 Influence of family
Children use to copy their belonging area

parents in education and career

Individuals follow their peers

32
Individuals depends on peer due

to emotional attachment and

conveniences

I got admission in psychology

because most of my friends did

the same

Individuals from rural areas have

limited sources

Urban individuals have number

 Knowledge of advanced  Social
of choices for college and career Responsibilit
 Source of income at ies/
universities home Belonging
 Area
Rural individuals have negative

thinking abut some

 Concept clarity by
Teachers given comprehensive
teachers
knowledge and aspects  Influence
 Influence of personality
Good teacher tried to prepare Educational
of teachers
their students for better Instructor
 Motivational impact of
profession and professional and Group
educational instructor
development
 Peer influence
Poor students have higher rate of
responsibilities  Economic status of
Poor can‘t pay reuses or upper family  Economic
ranked popular universities and  Lack of earning sources Conditions
colleges in family

Self-confidence gives better  Personal Interest  Intra-

 Self-Efficacy personal/

33
opportunities to grow  Self-confidence Psycho
 Self-Motivation Perception
Motivation from parents and peer
 Psychological Distress
can make impossible to possible

Self- trust to do everything can

help to do good creed

development

Cognitive abilities and

Looking for job or career just  Timely surfing of career

 Time
after completing my education  Preference of socially
Management
preferred subjects
Students who perform better to
attain more marks have more
chances of admission in popular  Academic performance
 Quality of
 Choice of subjects being
university or college Education
learned
They have higher chances to be
accepted at job

4.2.3 Generating Initial themes

By reviewing the codes developed from the transcripts of student‘s response‘s initial

themes were generated by the researcher as:

 Social Factor

 Social Responsibility and belonging area

 Influence of educational instructor or groups members

 Economic or financial conditions of participants

 Interpersonal or psychological perceptions

 Time management in studies and to make choice of career

34
  Quality of education for career development

4.3 Social Factors

Over the systematic subjective understandings of participant‘s verbatim and repeated

concepts of social factors that influence individual‘s especially undergraduate student‘s

career choices and professional experiences are listed below.

4.4 Theme: A. Influence of Family Members

Out of 8 participants six were focus on family influence including family pressure,

influence of family professional experience and their social perception on the career choices

of students. Female participants are more effected to parental attachment and decision

making towards their career than male. Most of the female reported the sacrifice of their

interest related subjects due to family members as they can‘t afford their choice of choosing

some specific subjects, college and university. Female respondents are more restricted by

their parents to not choose some specific career i.e. music and media industry as an actor as

one respond:

―I eagerly wanted to be part of media as I have good acting skills but my parents

forced me to choose education related subjects so I can be educational teacher later on‖. Male

participants were reported less family pressure to choose their career except of economic

status. Parents lack of knowledge about advance careers and social acceptance and

preferences of some specific careers i.e. doctors, engineers, educational teachers, nurses and

to join Pakistan forces also effects the students perception and career choices.

4.4.1 Education of Parents

Education of the parents is highly effected the career development and professional

life of their children. Educated parents have more knowledge, experience and vast

35
perceptions of career than uneducated parents. Almost all participants in response to

interview question force on the parent‘s education and their career choices. They reported

they feel support because of their parent‘s education and professional experience. They not

only acknowledged us but also provide platforms to our interest. Few individuals had

uneducated parents and due to that they unable to choose better career than they thought to

be.

Students were explained the importance of parent‘s education because educated

parents better understand their children interest advancement in careers now a days. So, they

can provide better opportunities to their children to grow for better professional life. One of

the student shared his experience and view of his career in a way ―I am getting education for

my knowledge and experience not for making career because my father forced me to join his

factory after completing my education, despite I want to be a professional Clinical

Psychologist and want to start my clinic‖.

4.4.2 Professional Experience of Parents and Siblings

Most of the respondents were those who had working parents in government and

private organizations. Their professional life and professional experience gave their children

confidence and better decision-making power to choose their career. Students were reported

in their views that parents who doing some job or owner to their self-business usually want

their children to engage the same business. This includes the negative impact of parent‘s

professional experience on their children as parents don‘t understand the individual‘s interest

and abilities.

4.4.3 Information about Advance Career

36
In previous times only few careers were there to join. Few individuals became part of media

industry because media as a profession was not accepted by the society. Numerous type of

advance careers are not to join. Knowledge of these vast and advance careers influence

personal choice towards his or her career. Students were informed about their capabilities to

be professional though blogging, through roasting, online professions and through media

industry. According to them these professions and highly earned professions than other now

a days, one can only have access and ability to reach through.

4.4.4 Economical Status and Living Area of Family

Family income and economic status influence individual‘s selection of subjects,

quality of education, educational institutions and career choices at extreme level. Most of the

students are not reached to their higher education due to poor family conditions which tend to

affect their chances to peruse career with high earnings. Students were reported that most of

their class fellows and colleagues left their schools and not entered in college level education

because their parents can‘t afford the expenses of their education. They shared their own

experiences by explaining why they can‘t go to international universities because they belong

to lower middle class and parents can‘t offer them expensive education.

4.5 Theme: B. Social Responsibilities

Being elder at home where parents were died or there were no earning source at home

one have a responsibility to fulfill basic needs of other family members. In our country where

we are deprived of money and earning sources being socially responsible to raise the family

members is a big challenge. Almost every individual participant focusses on the influence of

social responsibilities of career choices of undergraduate students. Students who have

responsibility of other family members usually start working when they are younger, most of

37
them left their studies uncompleted and start earning. Their economic conditions mold their

interest to get highly reputed career, instead they choose less earning career which require

less education.

4.6 Theme: C. Teachers and Educators

Educational instructor and teachers are always known being the role model for their

students. They not only teach education related courses or slybus but also teach them to be a

Nobel person of the society. Respondents of the research had strong views about the

importance of teacher go give them quality education and courage to choose their career

according to their potential. They have few teachers in their life whose personality, teaching

styles, motivational speeches and that emotional bonding influence their internal interest and

polish their abilities to develop successful career life.

4.6.1 Peer Influence

Peer includes individual‘s social group of friends and family members to home

person share their interest abilities and exposures. Students felt more confident and

compatible being part of a group rather being alone. This group of individuals effects their

interest and abilities both positive and in negative perspectives. Peer pressure always

influence individuals career choices as participants responses revealed that they choose their

majors at college level because most of their friends were choose the same. And same with

the later career life, they tend to being involved in some specific career because their friends

refer it the best or pressurized the individual to go with them.

4.7 theme D: Intrapersonal Factors/ Psycho- Perception and Abilities

38
 Results of the study through semi structured interview, individuals verbatim and

repeated concepts and perspectives revealed some psychological/interpersonal factors. Which

tend to highly influence individuals career choices are listed below.

4.7.1 Personal Interest

Personal interest one of the intrapersonal factors that highly effects professional

career and development of career choices. Individual can perform better perform in learning,

career and professional level if he chooses career according to their interest. Interest based

career and professions develop for long period of time and give satisfaction to individual

perusing that career. Over the participant‘s responses and their experiences, they can perform

better and in vast way when they get interest in subjects they choose or career they peruse.

4.7.2 Individuals Abilities

Individual focus on the abilities with interest for career development. Individual

ability of learning new careers, initiating, focusing and maintaining of career and

professional life. Recognition of related things, retrieving that and using to attain new

strategies in career development. Abilities to deal with problematic situations is one of the

abilities of career development to which participants focus to adopt while making career

choices. Choice for the career for which one is not capable is waste of time and efforts.

4.7.3 Self Efficacy

Individual‘s ability and confidence on one‘s self to adopt new things and pursuing

new careers is called self-efficacy. Given study revealed from participant‘s responses that

person with high motivational power, self-confidence and self-efficacy can choice better

career and develop better professional life among other who were not.

39
 4.2.1 Quality of Education

Contributing above all the factors effecting career choices and professional success

were focus on quality of education as an essential need of any profession. Most of the

participants focus on quality education in form of obtaining marks and credential hours

which help to peruse better career. They shared their way of perceptions and set patterns of

effort to attain good quality of education at their schools. Participants were mainly focus on

quality education influencing results as well as for competition among students. All of them

emphasized the importance of education as basic and vital needs for human beings to choose

their career and professional life in future. According to them professional life and success of

being professional depends on quality education at early years of school. They acknowledge

the researcher through world report of quality of education with reference to most of the

countries granted to access the optimum education rates to attain quality of education in their

schools.

4.3 Time Management

Time management is one another essential factor effecting students career choices.

During pandemic situations in all over the countries academic institutions wisely managed

their time to maintain working environment instead of waiting for reopening of universities

and working industries. Time management techniques and performance are directly linked

with career choice of undergraduate, time management automatically increase performance i.

e. By managing the time for both academics, play, art work and other curricular activities

student‘s mental abilities and psychological wellbeing also improved with their result-

oriented behavior.

40
 Influence of family
members

Influence of parent‘s education

Influence of professional
experience of parents and siblings

Influence of family belonging area

Social Factors
Academic performance

Choice of subjects being

learned
Quality of Education
Personal Interest
Psycho-Social  Self-Efficacy
Factors Effecting Self-Efficacy
Career Choices

Psychological Factors Self-confidence

Self-Motivation

Concept clarity by teachers

Effect of Educational
Instructor
Peer Influence

Influence of personality of
teachers

Influence of personality
of teachers

Figure:1
Showing the Connections Between Themes, Subthemes of the Verbatim of
Participants Responses

41
 Responsibilities
Help to choose
productive
subjects
Opportunities
Have knowledge of
popular college Confidenc
and universities e
Economic
Parental
Status
Influence

Give confidence
Influence of
Give motivation Concept Instructor
clarities

Intrapersonal Familiarization
with process of
Influence of Factors career choice
Residential
Area
Self- Efficacy

Cognitive Abilities

Figure.1 Initial thematic map showing six themes containing subthemes form the coding
of the transcript

42
 CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary of the Study

This study was a qualitative in nature evaluating the psychosocial factors effecting

career choices of undergraduate students. Purposeful sampling was employed because the

study was a case of 8 participants from different departments of Punjab University Lahore.

Data was collected using semi structured interviews using interview guide containing 10-15

questions were open ended in nature. Descriptive statistics of participants characteristics i.e.

age, gender, belonging area, social economic status and family systems was measured in

form of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Thematic analysis was

conducted to found major themes in exploration process from the verbatim of the

participants. Major themes and sub themes were evaluated using repeated statements and

common concepts of the students related to career choices. Both psychological and social

factors are found to be influenced individuals‘ perceptions and his decision making towards

career choice. Study have found the impact of family influence, social economic status,

parental education, professional experience of parents, teacher‘s guidance, peer pressure and

social acceptance of particular career as social factors towards career choice.

Study have found some psychological factors i.e. individuals perception, decision

making skills, self-efficacy, cognitive skills towards career, personal interest and abilities,

skills to maintain self-confidence and professional expectations are tend to effect individuals

career choices. By evaluating these social and psychological factors regarding career

43
development and professional success research found some implications of this study.

Results and detailed orientation of this study would be used to guide parents and students to

maintain their focus towards their career. Personal interest and abilities would be modifies

basing on the effects on career choice to make them able to choose career according to their

interest and abilities.

5.2 Discussion of the Findings

5.2.1 Social Influence

When exploring the career choices among graduate and undergraduate students

maternal attachments and bonding in form of social models students usually follow their

parents to choose their major during universities and as for choosing career. Influence of

parents effect in way of pursuing knowledge, skills, work experience of parents as well as

their qualification. An illiterate parents can never guide their children to pursue which career

suits their interest and abilities than parents having related career knowledge, work

experience and education to some extent (Fraley et al., 2014). Peer are another strongest

influencers to modify individual‘s career choices and professional success. Peer group is the

set of friends and knowing persons to whom students assumed their role model and usually

follow to attain the same they use to. As per sharing subjects and major during college and

university undergraduate students are attempt to attain the same careers beyond their interest

and capabilities. This peer influencing behavior and pressure some time result in the selection

of wrong careers for right persons (Lilia & Golombok, 2015).

The most effecting factor in social context that participants were talked about was

economic status or month or annually family income. Family economic conditions have

direct influence on the study of students, for the selection of their academic institutions, types

44
on instructors to clarifying major concepts in learning process and so on for their career

choices in later life. Individuals living environmental conditions and their socioeconomic

stays effect their exploration and experiences towards better schooling, pursuing known

colleges and university for higher level of education. So, the individual students get more

chance to explore their interest in possible careers. On the other hand individuals with low

economic status have limited sources to pursue their schools, academic intuitions and face

struggling careers. These individuals have less career choices and more efforts to find career

to maintain their profession life. Because of the less choices these individuals have less

career expectations and professional experience. They usually pursue career to make money

for the ease of life not for satisfaction and self-actualization.

Types of teachers and academic instructors that person have in their lives impact

higher then parental influence. Teachers are act to be model and source of inspirations for the

students in various fields of their life. They act to be source of motivation for the students

who usually struggle to find best career because of their motivation and self-encouragement.

Source of obtained scores also depends on the efforts of academic instructors. Academic

scores and educational performance influenced highly to career choices of undergraduate

students.

5.2.2 Psychological Factors

Manny of the psychological factors including Self-confidence, Self-Efficacy, personal

interest and abilities, internal expectations towards professional development and decision

making power are fund to be influencers for career choices of undergraduate students.

Review of the literature, related theories and research concepts are tend to support the

findings of present research study in both contextual and conceptual ways.

45
 Patton and Creeds (2007), found the direct effect of self-efficacy on career choices by

undergraduate students. Ability to do anything to pursue their goals include struggle, efforts

to attain specific goals and to attempt certain set patterns of training abilities to choose best

career cane front the concept of self-efficacy. According to their concept and systematic

results students who racy to take risk and have certain self-confidence insides which provide

individuals a competing self-potential are said to be as self-efficient and competitive

individuals. These individuals can make better career choices with self-confidence and ability

to do anything possible (Roach, 2010).

46
5.3 Limitations of the Research

Given study have following limitations.

 Small population of students and small sample including 8 undergraduate students

may not be the perfect representative of whole undergraduate students facing Manny

social and psychological factors influencing their professional career and career

choices.

 Sample of the study was homogenous in mature i.e. having study program as social

sciences, belonging area and knowledge of subjects. Heterogeneous sample would

provide better impact of psychosocial effects on career choices among the students

having different characteristics.

 The potential limitation of present research was its nature as it was fully qualitative

research tend to explore the phenomenon, rather it is suggested to pursue mixed type

research study keeping both the concepts of qualitative and quantitative for better

investigation of relationship, cause and effects and predicting effects between the

variables along with subjective perspectives based on individuals verbatim.

47
5.4 Implications of Research
(a) Recommendations for policy and practice

Based on the findings of the current research study, following recommendations for

policy and practice are made:

 Students would be helped through career counseling at every academic

institution so he of she can judge the students according to their interest, need

and personal abilities as well as cognitive skills.

(b) Suggestions for future research

In the light of the study‘s findings and limitations, several avenues for future

research studies are suggested below:

 Study should be conduct with students sample beyond the age of 25 are those

who starts their career to address their struggles and their satisfaction about

the career choice.

 More exploratory research studies should be conduct to explore the

phenomenal effects of maternal and paternal attachment and the effects of

their career choice.

48
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52
 APPENDICES
Information about Research

Research Study entitled ―Psychosocial Factors in Career Choices of Undergraduate

Students‖ is aim to evaluate effectiveness of influencing psychological and social factors that

you effects the career choices and professional life of undergraduate students will be explore.

What you have to do?

Researcher will ask some question related to psychological and social factors which

you faced the most during your career choice of at time of selection your major of the

studies. Moreover researcher will ask about your experience, efforts and strategic plan behind

the success of your career choice for adopting advanced education programs. Researcher may

ask characteristics and nature of qualities needed to perform better in developing better

academic orientation and career.

Your participation in research is very appreciated able. Before, during and after

interview researcher will take care of your personal information. Your personal information

should kept confidential and only be used for research purpose. Before and during the

interview if you feel something understandable you can freely ask your researcher.

If you don‘t want to be part of interview before or during interview you can leave

without any excuse, researcher will not have right to force you.

53
Kindly do tick mark in each box in front of statements if you agree to participate in this

study.

1. I agreed I have read and understand all information about research.

2. Researcher have cleared about the purpose of my answers and its use in researcher

work.

3. Researcher insured me about my personal information will only be used for research.

Purpose.

4. I agreed and want to participate in this research.

54
 Demographic Information

Please provide following Information correctly:

1. Sr. no: ____________________
2. Institute/Department and University Name: ____________________________
3. Gender: _____________________
4. Age: _______________________________
5. Belonging Area: _______________________
6. Marital Status: (Single/Married/Divorced)
7. Religion: ______________________________
8. Program of study __________________________
9. Family System: (Nuclear/ joined)
10. No. of Siblings: ___________________
11. Birth Order: _________________________
12. Socio-Economic Status: _________________
13. Earning Source at Home: _______________
14. Study Hours: _________________________________
15. Is this your first experience of Employment? (Yes/no)
16. Do you feel yourself satisfy with your job experience? (Yes/no)

55
 INTERVIEW GUIDE

Please share your experience of facing Psycho-Social Factors effecting your Career

Choices.

Q No.1

How you take steps to enhance learning process and continuous productivity at

your career choices?

 What types of familial issue do you face while choosing your career?

 Please describes your efforts to deal with family issues?

 What do think individuals career choices effected by education of the parents?

 What do you think career choices and professional development of students effected

through professional experience of parents?

 Please explain how parents lack of knowledge about advance careers and professions

effect the career choices of their children?

QNo.2

What are the influence of quality education on the career choices of students?

 What do you think types of early education, learning process, concept clarity and

obtaining marks effects ones career choices?

 What type of difficulties a student can feel due to low economic status regarding his

or her career?

 Describe few of teachers or instructor qualities which can affect the career

development of students?

56
  How Academic performance, work experience and outcome expectation influence

career choice of an individual.

QNo.3

How failure in career choices effected through psychological/intrapersonal

factors?

 What do you think that personal interest can effects one‘s career choice?

 How abilities of a person does effects the development of his profession?

 What you suggest other schools to become successful?

d. Describe your efforts you did from failure to success to achieve your favorite career?

QNo.4

What is the role of peer groups and social gatherings on the career choices of an

individual?

 What is your point of view about role peer groups and social gatherings towards

career choices?

 How your future progress influenced by your friends and class fellows?

 What type of role played by the peers to work hard to achieve your career goals?

57