A Study on the Career Aspirations of Undergraduates in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Study of career aspirations among undergraduates has become an important topic since undergraduates have been facing numerous challenges after completing their university degree. This study examined the determinants of career aspirations among undergraduates and the key challenges faced by them in choosing one. This study employed the mono method approach in the mixed method and so qualitative data were collected from 20 undergraduates from 04 universities and from 03 graduates who had passed out to conduct case studies based on their success stories; the findings from the semi-structured interviews were then analyzed and validated through thematic analysis. This study found that subjective norms, behaviour, and individual attitude were the factors that determined the career aspirations of undergraduates in Sri Lanka. Thus, the key issues that influenced the career aspirations of undergraduates were identified. This research provides significant insights into this matter for policymakers and decision makers working on reforms to the university education system of the Island so that the universities can contribute more meaningfully towards the career development of undergraduates.