An exploratory study of the career orientation profiles of first and second year MBA students at the University of Natal.

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to investigate the Career Orientation profiles of first year and second year MBA students at the University of Natal in order to establish what particular profiles were prevalent amongst students with the view of using those as the diagnostic schedule of those that are likely to succeed in their careers. The first aim of the study was to compile the profile of first and second year MBA students. The second aim of the study was to determine MBA students' career orientation profiles. A standardized Schein's Career Orientation Inventory Scale was used in the study in order to achieve the objectives of the second aim. The researcher constructed a biographic questionnaire in order to achieve the objectives of the first aim. The measuring instrument was administered to groups of first and second year students. One hundred questionnaires were analysed, seventy for the first years and thirty for second year students. The sample consisted of 42 first year male students and 28 first year female students, and 18 second year male and 12 second year female students. The findings according to the first aim of the study, i.e., the compiling of the profiles of the first and second year MBA students, revealed that there was no significant difference in terms of age, marital status, level of education, employment sector and salary range between the two groups of MBA students. The findings based on aim two, i.e., determining the career orientation profiles revealed that the most dominant career anchor for both groups of MBA students was the Pure Challenge followed by Autonomy / Independence.