Factors Influencing Career Choices of Dental Students in a State University in Turkey

Year 2018, Volume: 8 Issue: 4, 228 - 236, 28.12.2018

Belen Şirinoğlu Çapan Serap Akyüz Nefise Bahçeçik Ayşen Yarat Fatih Girgin

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the career

choices of students in Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry in the 2014-2015

academic year.

Methods: Data were collected from 468 dental students by using a 55-item

questionnaire.

Results: Mean age of students were 21.6 (range 17-25); 300(64.1%) of them were

female and 168(35.9%) were male. Two hundred two (43.2%) students indicated

that their first choice was dentistry. If they were to make a choice for a second time,

196(41.9%) of students would again prefer dentistry as their career. There was

a significant difference between the year of study and the statement “I will prefer

dentistry again” (p<0.05). In fact, 45(49.5%) of first-year students claimed that they

would choose dentistry again, whereas 35(41.7%) of fifth-year students stated the

opposite. As being passed to higher classes, the percentage of students who will

prefer dentistry again decreased. One hundred forty one (30.1%) of all students

reported wanting to change their career. It was stated as reasons for changing

careers that being a dental student was stressful. Students were most influenced by

their family (61.4%). Four hundred eight (87.2%) students were determined to choose

dentistry because of its high income. 399 (85.2%) students stated that dentistry is a

prestigious profession and this criterion was significant in their career choices.

Conclusion: The majority of students who preferred Marmara University, Faculty of

Dentistry were girls, and there were many factors influence the career choices and

future plans of the students, with the most important beings were the families, the high

income level and the prestige of the profession.

Keywords

Career choice, Dentistry, Students, Questionnaire

References

• [1] Ulas O, Yildirim I. Predictors of career maturity among high school students. HU J Educ 2015; 30(2):151-165.