Abstract:

International studies show that high school students who engage in volunteering choose their future study programmes more purposefully (Cnaan et al., 2010); they also experience less difficulties in job search processes (Hackl et al., 2007; Katz and Rosenberg, 2005). Engagement in volunteering has a direct impact on the motivation of learning and the quality of the process of transition from education to the labour market (Wilson, 2012; García-Mainar et al. 2010; Taniguchi, 2010; Mesch et al., 2006). In the international context of research on volunteering, Lithuania's case is new and unique not only in terms of the region, but also because it aims at revealing the influence of volunteering experiences at high school on the choices of future university or college studies. To achieve this, we conducted a representative survey of first cycle university and college students in Lithuania (sample size 1227). The survey questionnaire consists of groups of statements covering details about the volunteering experience during respondents’ high school years; their motives behind the choices made about their university (college) studies; questions about how previous experiences affected respondents’ current situation; prospects of the chosen studies. The questionnaire also included a scale of motivation for volunteering, developed by E.G. Clary et al. (1998). The overall questionnaire is characterized by high internal consistency (all scales in the questionnaire have Cronbach's α ranging from 0.731 to 0.993).

Research results show that students who chose social and educational sciences were more focused on such aspect of volunteering as meeting their individual needs (willingness to try out themselves) and needs of others (willingness to help others). Students in educational sciences more often than students in other study fields pointed out that volunteering in high school was stimulated by the willingness to spend time with purpose; to acquire new skills and knowledge that will be useful in the future; the opportunity to interact with interesting people as well as the willingness to gain more self-confidence. Social science students more often indicated that they became involved in volunteering because parents or other relatives volunteered or their wanted to establish contacts with important people. Students in humanities, health sciences and law were more engaged in volunteering activities that were related to political field. Approximately a third respondents claim they volunteered purposefully because they knew what kind of studies they plan to choose. Volunteering experience slightly more helped female than male students to decide what they would like to study. Participation in volunteering is linked to the projection of a personal career, as it is possible to establish contacts for career or business development, to try out different career opportunities, to facilitate access to the desired work, or to enhance the content of curriculum vitae.

Keywords:

Volunteering, studies, choice of studies.