Abstract:

Career choice is a process thar involves different factors. It also implies a significant initial decision made in adulthood, one that is relevant as it will shape an individual's future professional path. Identifying the factors influencing major choice is beneficial as it allows understanding how this process unfolds in contemporary times, post the COVID-19 pandemic.

The general objective of this study is to describe the factors associated with career choice among young graduates of upper secondary education. This research is contextualized at a private university in the State of Aguascalientes, Mexico. It includes a sample of 209 students admitted and enrolled in the institution during the 2022-23 academic year. Data collection was conducted through an adaptation of the Inventory of Factors Influencing Career Choice (IFIEC-AD), consisting of 29 Likert-scale items aimed at measuring seven dimensions: D1. Significant others, D2. Objects and physical events, D3. Social circumstances, D4. Significant people, D5. Inclinations, D6. Macro-contingent elements, and D7. Personal motivations. Psychometric analysis suggests that the instrument has an excellent level of reliability (Alpha = .910), as well as construct validity, by identifying correlation coefficients greater than 0.40 between each item and the score of its respective dimension. This instrument was administered through an electronic form (Google Forms), involving voluntary and informed participation from the students. The collected data were processed using SPSS 27 software (IBM). Throughout the entire research, ethical principles promoted by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) were adhered to.

The analysis of results identified that the main factor influencing students' career choice is related to D7. Personal motivations, followed by D5. Facilities and D6. Macro-contingent elements. In contrast, the least considered factors were D3. Social circumstances, D4. Significant people, and D1. Significant others. These results are relevant as they help understand the aspects influencing students' career choice upon entering higher education, and can guide the development of strategies for vocational and professional guidance for students in previous educational levels.

Keywords:

Occupational choice, private education, undergraduate education, Mexico.