”A career is somehow a measurement for success” – Constructing career aspirations and career paths of UAS Master’s degree graduates
Keywords:
career paths, career aspirations, University of Applied Sciences Master’s degree, Master of Business Administration (MBA)Abstract
The article analyzes the construction of career aspirations and career paths of the University of Applied Sciences Master’s degree graduates. The study examines specifically Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates’ careers within the conceptual framework of different career types. The empirical data consists of 12 follow-up interviews with recent graduates. The narrative analysis focuses on graduates’ recounting of their career goals in relation to the actualized career paths. We demonstrate, how MBA graduates position themselves in different career types and how they perceive their career development opportunities. The results show that only part of graduates’ career goals come true as they had anticipated, due in part the changes in labor market demand or life situations, which in turn affects future career aspirations. It is important to consider the diversity of students’ life histories and changing career aspirations in the further development of MBA education. The results provide a framework within which to build up career guidance services for MBA graduates.
