Influential factors on students vocational aspiration in Turkish elementary schools

This study explored the fifth grade elementary school students’ vocational aspiration and the factors affecting it. The sample consisted of 115 students in 20 elementary public schools with whom face-to-face interviews were conducted. The findings showed that engineering, medical doctor, and school teachers were the most frequently mentioned three vocations to which students aspired. Boys were found to aspire to traditionally-masculine occupations; girls aspired to traditionally-female occupations. Parents seemed to be the most influential factor on students’ vocational aspiration, followed by the favorite academic subject and social environment. On the other hand, vocational guidance activities were the least influential factor, which was not a surprise given that approximately 90% of the students indicated absence of vocational guidance activities. Based on the findings, improving the quality and quantity of the vocational guidance activities at schools is suggested.    Key words: Elementary school, vocational aspiration, student.