Students’ perception of labor market success in vocational education and training
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3311/ope.616Abstract
This study explores how vocational students in Europe define professional success. Success, as defined by Seligman (2002), involves satisfaction with one's current situation based on personal capabilities. We analyzed survey data from over 10,000 final-year vocational students to understand their perspectives on subjective (e.g. enjoyment) and objective e.g. (salary) aspects of success. Results show students prioritize objective factors (average score: 2.31) like financial security over subjective factors (average score: 1.69) such as work satisfaction. Prior work experience doesn't affect students' perception of objective success but increases the focus on subjective success. Interestingly, students with at least one college-educated parent value subjective success more, although the impact is small. These findings provide valuable insights for educational institutions to support students' career aspirations. By acknowledging the importance of both objective and subjective goals, vocational training can contribute to individual success and broader social and economic development.Author Biographies
Dora Czirfusz
Data analyst, researcher, currently a student at the ELTE Eötvös Loránd University Doctoral School of Education. She participated in numerous domestic and international educational projects in the competition sphere, state administration and the academic sphere, where she mainly examined the topics of vocational training, higher education, school dropout and digital education.
Sándor Lénárd
He works at the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology of the Eötvös Loránd University, in the Institute of Educational Sciences, as a habilitated university associate professor. He primarily teaches pedagogy, teacher and doctoral students, as well as trains future managers. His research topics include pedagogical innovations, adaptive education, assessment supporting learning, organizational research and practical issues of institutional management, vocational training pedagogy. He is currently the president of the Association of Teacher Trainers, co-editor of the Workshop section in the Pedagogussképzés magazine.
