Abstract

BARDAGI, Marúcia Patta  and  PARADISO, Ângela Carina. University students’ academic trajectory and satisfaction with career choice in the middle of the course. Rev. bras. orientac. prof [online]. 2003, vol.4, n.1-2, pp. 153-166. ISSN 1984-7270.

Despite the importance of higher education for the vocational development of individuals, there’s a lack of information about the characteristics and needs of Brazilian university students. This study investigated academic trajectories, satisfaction with career choice and expectations related to professional guidance in 391 male and female students of Rio Grande do Sul Federal University (average age = 23,6 years), attending intermediate semesters of 16 courses. A 13-item questionnaire was constructed for this survey. Data were submitted to quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results showed that most of the students are satisfied (56%) or very satisfied (32,2%) with their choices, 42,7% have thought of giving up or switching profession at some point of the course, but only 15,9% still think about it; 59,3% of the participants believe that vocational guidance processes could be helpful. Academic activities and personal identification were significant factors for satisfaction with career choice. Implications for future interventions and vocational development are discussed in the last part of the study.

Keywords : Professional choice; Vocational guidance; Academic trajectory.

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