STUDENTS' CAREER MOTIVATION - A PILOT STUDY

The present paper aims at investigating career motivation among students from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. This analysis is consistent with the effort of national and supranational institutions and Romanian universities to bridge academic curriculum and requirements of the labor market and to properly prepare students for the transition from university to active professional life. The outcomes presented resulted from the analysis conducted within the pilot study, which implies a smaller sample. In the first part of the paper some of the most important motivational theories are critically presented. Students’ motivation is assessed by means of a questionnaire which evaluates three dimensions: factors which influence career choice, further professional development and motivational factors. The empirical results are relevant in order to ensure the sustainability of the larger study which will be conducted in the future, but also to adjust the offer of internship places according to students’ needs and career expectations.