A Study of Self Esteem and Career Aspiration among Undergraduate University Students

Abstract

The present study is an exploratory study attempting to examine career aspirations, self-esteem, and the relationship between the two if any, of undergraduate students studying in a Private University in Neemrana, Rajasthan, India. In this study, a total of 118 students participated. 69 of these students were from 3rd year B Tech programme and 49 were from 1st year B Tech programme.  The revised version of the Career Aspirations Scale (CAS) developed by Gregor and O’Brien which consists of three subscales, including achievement aspirations (8 items), leadership aspirations (8 items), and educational aspirations (8 items) was used to measure career aspirations. Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale consisting of 10 self-report items was used to measure self-esteem. The literature review has mixed evidence of the relationship between self-esteem and career aspirations. Several studies demonstrated that having high self-esteem would encourage students to maintain a positive outlook on career aspirations related to their present or future performance after graduation. In this study, although no relationship was found between self-esteem and career aspirations, it highlighted various results for intervention programs in higher education institutions. Gender played a role in the self-esteem and career aspirations measures for undergraduate students at different years of study. It is known that young adulthood is a period of adjustments to new patterns of life and new social expectations. In this period self-esteem is of great importance in career planning. Thus, this study proves to be fruitful in enhancing our knowledge of the development of gender role attitudes and their relationship with the dynamics of career development among youth.