A study on the professional attention and career commitment of health management students

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The education process is based on leading the choice of profession in line with the interests and abilities of the individual and helping them with their career plans in these professions.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the occupational interest levels of the Health Management Department students on their career commitment.

METHODS:

In the study, descriptive findings were included by using a quantitative research design. In the research, data were collected from 282 students studying Department of Health Management. SPSS 26.0 package program was used for statistical analysis of research data. Parametric tests (t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, normal linear regression analysis) were utilized since the data fit the normal distribution.

RESULTS:

57.1% of the individuals participating in the research are female, 47.8% have the age range of 21 to 22. There is a positive, moderate (r = 0.677 p < 0.01) significant relationship between professional interest and career commitment scales. The level of professional interest and career dedication varies according to gender, age, income status and the class of the student.

CONCLUSION:

It is very important that health management students have an interest in their profession. Because this interest will guide them in what kind of a career they should make in their business life after graduation.

Keywords

Profession career professional interest career dedication health management students

1 Introduction

The education process focuses on guiding individuals to choose professions in line with their interests and abilities and helping them plan their careers in these professions [1]. This is because occupational choice is an element that can shape an individual’s present and future lives and their interactions with their environment [2, 3]. In line with the interests and abilities of individuals, the definition of a profession can be summarized as all of the activities that a person does in order to sustain one’s life [4]. Individuals should choose their professions by considering their interests and abilities, while at the same time taking care to ensure that they are capable of fulfilling their job with pleasure, without hindering their happiness in their private lives, and without contradicting their personalities [5].

The progression of a person in a professional career after acquiring the profession is directly linked to job satisfaction. If we define the concept of career simply, it is the connection between the social life of individuals and their work life. This relationship is expressed as the individual’s desire to obtain a high income, gain status in society, and achieve the desire to be respected and empowered [6]. The individual’s acquisition of experience, presence in the business world, and self-development fall under the concept of career [7]. Besides, the concept of career is defined as the totality of the experiences and adventures of an individual throughout one’s life. Based on these definitions, it can be concluded that having a career means much more than choosing a profession and doing a job, and it concerns not only one period but also different periods throughout an individual’s life [8]. The concept of a career, which can be acquired at any age, period, or sector, brings to mind the concept of career commitment, considering its attributes. Career commitment is defined as the level to which an individual proactively expresses one’s career through career behaviors such as networking, career planning, skills development, career exploration, and volunteer involvement [9]. In other words, career commitment includes behaviors such as future planning and acting in this direction, job search methods, making planned and feasible decisions, struggling with obstacles, career success, gaining skills and self-development in business life, dealing with stress, and increasing happiness levels [10]. Thus, career commitment is formed by career behaviors that enhance individuals’ career development [11].

When the concepts of career and career commitment are mentioned, it would be relevant to say that the first condition for an individual to start a career job and become a sought-after employee is to have reached a satisfactory position and to have developed oneself regarding education. Moreover, it is not only necessary to be educated but also to have internalized this education [12]. One of the most significant occupational groups in health care is health management. Health management students’ level of interest in the profession may also change throughout their education. It would be effective for these students to determine their interests in the profession they are studying and their careers in line with these interests. In addition, when individuals are dissatisfied with their jobs, their interest in the profession may decrease, which has a negative impact on the recruitment process of new graduates [13]. In this direction The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of vocational interest levels of Health Management students on their career commitment.

2 Method

2.1 Aim and type of the study

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of vocational interest levels of Health Management students on their career commitment. Furthermore, a quantitative research design was used in the study, and descriptive findings were included.

2.2 Population of the study

The population of the study consisted of 619 students from the Department of Health Management, Faculty of Health Sciences.

2.3 Sample of the study

In addition, in the study, the required sample size was calculated using the formula n0 = [(t × S) / d]2, n = [n0 / (1+(n0 / N))], which is the formula used to calculate the required sample size when the population size is known [15].

“N: (Population Size)

t: The table z-value corresponding to the confidence level

s: Estimated standard deviation for the population

d: Acceptable deviation tolerance

n: Sample Size”

When the required values are placed in the formula

The number of n0 = [(1,96 × 0,5) /0,05]² = 384,16

n = [384,16/ (1+(384,16 / 619))] = 237 was found.

Our study was conducted with the voluntary participation of 282 students, despite the determination that the sample size for our research was 237 when using the formula for situations where the population size is known.

2.4 Data collection tools

A questionnaire form consisting of two parts was designed for this research. The first section includes a personal data form designed after reviewing the relevant literature for basic demographic findings. Using the Personal Information Form, the participants were asked to answer questions about demographic information such as gender, age, and year in the program. The second section includes the Vocational Interest Scale and Career Commitment Scale.

Vocational Interest Scale was developed by Kaysi (2021) to measure the level of vocational interest of university students [13]. The scale consists of 19 items and 4 sub-dimensions (Vocational Preparation, Self-Development, Awareness of Vocational Choice and Recommending Vocation to Others). The scale consists of 19 items and 4 sub-dimensions (Vocational Preparation, Self-Development, Awareness of Vocational Choice and Recommending Vocation to Others). Cronbach’s Alpha value was calculated as 0.93. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the four-factor model had acceptable fit indices [χ² = 235.99, df = 137, p < .000; CFI = 0.98; NFI = 0.96; RFI = 0.95; SRMR = 0.51].

Another scale used in the research is the Career Commitment Scale. The Career Commitment Scale, developed by Hirschi et al. (2014) to measure the degree to which individuals proactively develop their careers, which are expressed through various career behaviors, was translated into Turkish by Korkmaz et al. (2020), and a validity-reliability study was conducted [9, 16]. In this study, the Career Commitment Scale adapted to Turkish by Korkmaz et al. (2020) was used. The scale consists of 9 items and one sub-dimension. The Cronbach’s Alpha value was calculated as 0.88. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the one-factor model had acceptable fit indices [χ² = 324.79, df = 27, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.96; TLI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.07; SRMR = 0.04]. In addition, the two scales to be used in the study are graded on a 5-point Likert scale.

2.5 Reliability

The Cronbach’s Alpha test statistic was used for the reliability of the survey questions. Based on the results of the reliability analysis, the Cronbach’s Alpha value for the Vocational Interest Scale was 0.91 and 0.93 for the Career Commitment Scale. The results of the analysis showed that the scales had high reliability [17].

2.6 Research data collection and evaluation

The data needed for the study were collected cross-sectionally at a certain interval. The data were obtained online on a voluntary basis between March 01–15, 2023. The SPSS 26.0 package program was used for the statistical analysis of the research data. Before analyzing the data, it was tested to see whether the data fit the normal distribution. According to the results of the analysis, skewness and kurtosis values were observed to be between+1 and –1, and parametric tests (t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, normal linear regression analysis) were utilized since the data fit the normal distribution [15].

3 Results

The findings obtained when the research data were statistically analyzed are given below in tables.

Table 1 provides descriptive information about the participants. Of the individuals who participated in the study, 57.1% were female, and 47.8% were between 21 and 22 years of age. Considering the total household income of the university students participating in the study, it is observed that 68.4% of them have a minimum wage level. It was also found that 28% of the participants were 3rd-year students and 27.3% were 2nd-year students.

Table 1
Findings related to descriptive characteristics of participants (n = 282)

Gender Number (n) Percentage (%)

Male 121 42.9

Female 161 57.1

Age Number (n) Percentage (%)

19 and 20 years of age 80 28.4

21 and 22 years of age 135 47.8

23 years and older 67 23.8

Income status Number (n) Percentage (%)

Below the minimum wage 13 4.6

Minimum wage 193 68.4

Twice the minimum wage 66 23.4

3 times the minimum wage and above 10 3.5

Year in the program Number (n) Percentage (%)

1st Year 64 22.7

2nd Year 77 27.3

3rd Year 79 28.0

4th Year 62 22.0

Gender	Number (n)	Percentage (%)
Male	121	42.9
Female	161	57.1
Age	Number (n)	Percentage (%)
19 and 20 years of age	80	28.4
21 and 22 years of age	135	47.8
23 years and older	67	23.8
Income status	Number (n)	Percentage (%)
Below the minimum wage	13	4.6
Minimum wage	193	68.4
Twice the minimum wage	66	23.4
3 times the minimum wage and above	10	3.5
Year in the program	Number (n)	Percentage (%)
1st Year	64	22.7
2nd Year	77	27.3
3rd Year	79	28.0
4th Year	62	22.0

Minimum Wage March-2023 (Turkey): 10,008 TRY gross and 8,506.8 TRY net per month.

Table 2 shows the comparison of students’ mean scores from the Vocational Interest and Career Commitment Scales, regarding the socio-demographic variables. A significant difference was found between gender and professional interest and career commitment (p < 0.05). It was concluded that male students had higher levels of vocational interest and career commitment than female students. A significant difference was found between age and the means of vocational interest and career commitment scales (p < 0.05). Based on the results of the test, it was concluded that the vocational interest levels of students aged 23 years and over were higher than those of students aged 21 and 22 years, and the career commitment levels of those aged 23 years and over were higher than those of students aged 19–20 and 21–22 years. The table shows a significant difference between the total household income and the means of vocational interest and career commitment scales (p < 0.05). The results of the analysis revealed that vocational interest was higher among students with a total household income of the minimum wage, twice the minimum wage, and three times the minimum wage and above than among students with a total household income below the minimum wage. In addition, it was found that the career commitment of students with a total household income at the minimum wage level was higher than that of students with a total household income below the minimum wage level. There was a significant difference between the mean scores of the vocational interest and career commitment scales and grade level (p < 0.05). Based on the test results, the vocational interest levels of the students in the 2nd year are higher than those of the individuals in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th years. It was also determined based on the analysis that the career commitment levels of the students in the 2nd year were higher than the individuals in the 3rd and 4th years.

Table 2

Comparison of students’ mean scores from vocational interest and career commitment scales based on the socio-demographic variables

Variables (n = 282)	Vocational interest scale	Mean±SD	Career commitment scale	Mean±SD
Gender	Male	73.12±11.6	Male	35.99±7.3
	Female	68.31±9.9	Female	30.21±8.1
	t	3.738	t	6.148
	p	0.00*	p	0.00*
Age	19 and 20 years of age¹	70.08±7.8	19 and 20 years of age¹	31.97±8.3
	21 and 22 years of age²	69.12±9.1	21 and 22 years of age²	30.97±7.8
	23 years and older³	73.23±15.9	23 years and older³	37.69±7.7
	F	3.250	F	13.337
	p	0.00*	p	0.00*
	Post-hoc	3 > 2^a	Post-hoc	3 > 1,2^a
Income status	Below the minimum wage¹	57.46±1.5	Below the minimum wage¹	26.61±9.1
	Minimum wage²	71±11.3	Minimum wage²	33.41±8.1
	Twice the minimum wage³	69.45±9.3	Twice the minimum wage³	31.42±7.6
	3 times the minimum wage and above⁴	78.50±6.8	3 times the minimum wage and above⁴	35.00±10.54
	F	9.053	F	3.690
	p	0.00*	p	0.00*
	Post-hoc	2,3,4 > 1^a	Post-hoc	2 > 1^a
Year in the program	1st year¹	70.98±10.2	1st year¹	33.93±8.6
	2nd year²	76.38±6.8	2nd year²	34.75±8.7
	3rd year³	66.91±9.8	3rd year³	31.10±7.4
	4th year⁴	66.68±13.5	4th year⁴	30.88±7.7
	F	14.651	F	4.141
	p	0.00*	P	0.00*
	Post-hoc	2 > 1,3,4^a	Post-hoc	2 > 3,4^a

The results of the correlation analysis between students’ vocational interest and career commitment scales are presented in Table 3. The analysis shows that there is a positive, moderate (r = 0.677 p < 0.01), and significant relationship between vocational interest and career commitment scales. Thus, the career commitment levels of health management students increase as their professional interests increase.

Table 3

Correlation analysis of the relationship between students’ vocational interest and career commitment level

		Vocational interest	Career commitment
Vocational interest	R	1	0.677^**
Career commitment	R	0.677^**	1

n = 282 ^**p < 0.01 p < 0.05^*.

The simple linear regression analysis between students’ vocational interest and career commitment scales is presented in Table 4. Since the significance level is p < 0.05, the regression model is significant. The regression analysis for the prediction of the relationship shows that students’ vocational interest has a positive and moderately significant effect on their career commitment. The R² value expressed as the explanatory power of the model was calculated as 0.458 (R = 0.677; R² = 0.458; p < 0.05). This value shows that 45.8% of the career commitment variable is explained by the independent variable in the model, namely vocational interest.

Table 4

Regression analysis of vocational interest as a predictor of career commitment

Independent variable	Dependent variable	B	SD.	t	R	R ²	F	p
Vocational interest	Career commitment	0.513	0.033	15.390	0.677	0.458	236.865	0.00*

4 Discussion

This study aims to investigate the effect of the vocational interest levels of Health Management Department students on their career commitment.

Of the individuals who participated in the study, 57.1% were female and 42.9% were male. In the study, it was concluded that the level of vocational interest among male students was higher than that of female students. The study conducted by Kaysi (2021) also supports the results of the research. Regarding the difference between gender and career commitment, it was found that male students had higher career commitment levels than female students. However, when the studies of Aydın (2021), Temiz (2022), and Tunç et al. (2022) were examined, no significant difference was found between career commitment and gender. As a different result, in the study conducted by Yılmaz (2022), the career commitment of female students was found to be high [18 –21]. A significant difference was found between age and the means of vocational interest and career commitment scales. Students aged 23 and older have higher levels of vocational interest than individuals aged 21 and 22. In terms of age and career commitment level, it was concluded that the career commitment levels of students aged 23 years and older were higher than those of students aged 19–20 and 21–22 years. In a study conducted by Ertekin (2021), a statistically significant difference was found in career commitment. In the study, it was found that the levels of individuals aged 26 and over were higher than those aged 22–25 [6]. A significant difference was found between the means of vocational interest and career commitment scales regarding the total household income. Furthermore, the study results showed that vocational interest was higher among students with a total household income of the minimum wage, twice the minimum wage, and three times the minimum wage and above than among students with a total household income below the minimum wage. The literature review did not reveal adequate references on vocational interest and household income. In addition, it was found that the career commitment of students with a total household income at the minimum wage level was higher than that of students with a total household income below the minimum wage level. There was a significant difference between the mean scores of vocational interest and career commitment scales and grade level information. The test results showed that the level of vocational interest was higher in 2nd-year students than in 1st, 3rd, and 4th-year students. It was also found that students in the 2nd year had higher levels of career commitment than individuals in the 3rd and 4th years. It was observed in Muslu and Temur’s study that students in the 3rd year had higher levels of career commitment and classroom knowledge than students in the preparatory class, 1st, 2nd, and 4th years.

In the correlation analysis between students’ vocational interest and career commitment scales, it was determined that there was a positive, moderately significant relationship between vocational interest and career commitment scales. Thus, it can be interpreted that the career commitment levels of health management students would increase as their vocational interests increase. The regression analysis showed that students’ vocational interest has a positive and moderately significant effect on their career commitment. It was found that 45.8% of the career commitment variable was attributed to professional interest.

4.1 Recommendations

In line with the findings, recommendations can be made for future research on students’ vocational interests and career commitments. Students should be given more information about the situations they will face in the future related to their professions starting in the 1st year, and students should be made aware of these situations earlier, from the first day they start school, and be made aware of their career commitments. Finally, as a result of the literature review, it was determined that the vocational interest scale was mostly used with academicians, whereas the career commitment scale was used in fields such as sports volunteers, psychological counselors, and guidance counselors. In this regard, it is considered that an increase in the number of studies to be conducted in the relevant field may support the findings of this study.

4.2 Limittations

The findings obtained from this research have some limitations. It is considered a limitation of the study that some students may not have sincerely answered the questions for various reasons. Additionally, this study was limited to healthcare management students studying only.

5 Conclusion

The study aimed to investigate the effect of vocational interest levels of Health Management Department students on their career commitment and to reach conclusions with these findings. The level of vocational interest and career commitment varies based on the student’s gender, age, income status, and year. It is significant that health management students have vocational interests. This is because such interest guides them on their career path after graduation. Health management students’ interest in the profession affects their careers positively or negatively. When the students’ interest in and desire to do their profession is strong, they are more likely to progress in their careers in the future.

Research ethics

Before the research, ethical approval was obtained from the Selcuk University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Faculty of Health Sciences with the approval number 2023/144. The owners of the Vocational Interest Scale and Career Commitment Scale used in the study were contacted via email, and the necessary permissions were obtained.

Informed consent

The questionnaire included an Informed Voluntary Participation Form, and students who agreed to participate were included in the study. The principles of the Declaration of Helsinki were adhered to throughout the process, from research design to publication.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Footnotes

Acknowledgments

The authors have no acknowledgments.

Funding

The authors report no funding.

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