Knowledge junkies or careerbuilders? A mixed-methods approach to exploring the determinants of students’ intention to earn a PhD

Description

What are the determinants of students’ interest in earning a PhD? In this study we use a mixed-methods approach to pursue this question. Based on qualitative interview data and using insights from social cognitive career theory (Lent et al., 1994; Lent & Brown, 1996), we develop a model in which personality-related and behavioral characteristics such as intrinsic or extrinsic academic motivation and academic achievement interact with environmental factors such as working con-ditions to influence career intentions. We then test this model using a sample of 229 students currently enrolled in master-level courses of study at a German university. In contrast to our ex-pectations, results suggest that while intrinsic life aspirations and the intellectual challenge of gaining a PhD play a significant role for students’ intention to pursue a PhD, extrinsic life aspira-tions and external determinants seem to be less influential. Fur-thermore, results highlight the im-portance of gaining familiarity and experience with academic work for stu-dents’ career decisions.

Period	27 May 2015 → 29 May 2015
Event title	77. Jahrestagung des Verbandes der Hochschullehrer für Betriebswirtschaft (VHB)
Event type	Unknown
Degree of Recognition	National