The Explorer Islamabad: Journal of Social Sciences

ISSN: 2411-0132(E), 2411-5487(P)

Vol-2, Issue (2):49-51
www.theexplorerpak.org

ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION AND CAREER DECISION MAKING AMONG YOUTH

Maryem Rauf
Department of Anthropology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
Corresponding Author:
Maryem Rauff
PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
maryemrauff1995@gmail.com
Abstract: This study was conducted to look at the impact of motivation on career decision making and
achievements. Sample of 50 youngsters, age 18-30 years were recruited from Islamabad and Rawalpindi as
respondents. Results conclude that there is well-built bond among achievement, motivation and career making.
Respondents are required to have career decision making ability to maintain their life style and to get high status in
society which is a great source of motivation for youth.

Key Words: Achievement, Motivation and Career Making

INTRODUCTION
The notion of need for achievement was
devised in the 1950s (McClelland, et al. 1949).
Definitions of Motivation are based on
behaviour patterns closely related to reward
contingencies (Pintrich and Schunk 2002). It can
be furthered explored to the extent to which
individuals differ in their need to strive to attain
rewards, such as physical satisfaction, praise from
others and feelings of personal mastery
(McClelland 1985). Motivated behaviour was also
described in many early theories in terms of
drives, instincts, motives, and other internal
traits (Weiner 1990). However, Motivation in an
academic context refers to cognitive, emotional,
and behavioural indicators of student investment
in and attachment to education (Tucker, et al.
2002).
To achieve a better profession and career
development, career decision making style as a
cognitive construct is a vital element (Jepsen and
Prediger 1981). Definitions of Decision-making
style are based on individuals habitual pattern
or their characteristic model of perceiving and
responding to decision-making tasks (Driver
1979). Taking a decision is a cognitive process
whether it is about career making or daily routine
problems like buying a car, selecting home and
choosing an academic subject. When individuals
are independent enough to select their jobs,
occupation and career, they are more motivated
and encouraged thus a certain job or career
becomes the function of their personality,
attitudes, and values ( Schneider 1987). The need
for achievement is also closely associated to

successful performance in an entrepreneurial role

(McClelland 1961). Highly motivated people
remain active and successful in entrepreneurial
situation as compared to those individuals who
are low achievers and less motivated (McClelland
1965). A persons strong will also effects his
decision towards career making. Those, who are
highly motivated and encouraged by their
parents, environmental factors and positive peer
pressure, are more competent to pursue a
successful career. Such kinds of people are high
achievers, as compare to less motivated people.
To lead a successful life, an individual has to make
his own decisions about his/her education, job
and social life, which totally depends upon
motivation level and career decision making style.
Therefore, people with low motivation level
cannot compete with highly motivated people in
the fast pace and race of life.
OBJECTIVES
1. To check the impact of motivation on career
decision making and achievements
2. To assess connection between achievements,
motivation and career decision making.
3. To check motivation level of youth to achieve
their career
METHADOLOGY
The present study was conducted in Islamabad
and Rawalpindi. The purpose of study was to
assess the impact of motivation on the
achievements among youngsters. It was a
quantitative research study. A structured
questionnaire was prepared for data collection.
The questionnaire was based on close ended
questions. A sample of 50 respondents was

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selected by using purposive sampling technique.

Respondents of the study were youth, between
the age of 18-30 years.
RESULTS
Table.1: Sex wise Distribution of the Respondents

Response

Frequency

Percent

Male

17

34.0

Female

33

66.0

Table.5: Purpose of Struggle

Responses

Total
50
100.0
Table no.1 shows sex wise distribution of the
respondents. Data was collected from both male
and female respondents.34 percent of the
respondents were male while 66 percent
respondents were female.
Table.2: Educational Profile of the Respondents

Response

Frequency

Percent

FA/Fsc

14.0

BA/BSC

18

36.0

MA/MSC

25

50.0

Total
50
100.0
Table no.2 is about educational profile of the
respondents. It depicts that 14 percent students
were at intermediate whereas 36 percent
students were at graduation level. And 50
percent students were of post-graduation level.
Table.3: Family Structure of the Respondents
Responses Frequency Percent
Nuclear

43

86.0

Extended

2.0

Joint

10.0

Total
50
100.0
Table no.3 represents family structure of the
respondents. Most of the people live in nuclear
family system which is about 86 percent.2
percent of the respondents live in extended
family system and 10 percent of them live in joint
family system which is very low percentage.
Table.4: Influencing Factors in Career Decision
Making

Responses

high status in the society. 4 percent of the

respondents want to influence their peers or
group members. 6 percent told that were aiming
to increase their family income while 76 percent
respondents want to maintain a good life style
that is why they wanted to work hard to have a
better career after completion of their education.

Frequency Percent

Ambition to achieve a high

status

12.0

peer pressure

4.0

Increase family income

6.0

Maintain good life style

38

76.0

Total
50
100.0
Table no.4 shows that the factors that affect
career decision making and later achievements in
job. 12 percent respondents wanted to achieve

Frequency Percent

Get good job

16

Raise economic status

of the family

12

higher education

15

30

Improve life style

17

34

0thers

Total
50
100
While talking about purpose of their struggle,
the 16 percent of the respondents related it to
get a good job while12 percent of the
respondents wanted to improve their socioeconomic status. Another 30 percent replied that
they want to get higher education. However, a
large percentage of 34 percent wanted to uplift
their life style and 6 percent gave other reasons
for their struggle.
Table.6: Effect of Social Economic Status on Education

Responses

Frequency

Percent

Yes

28

56.0

No

12

24.0

To some extent

18.0

Total
50
100.1
The effect of social economic status on students
shows that 56 percent students attributed that
social economic status does influence the
education while 24 percent students felt that it
does not affect at all. Only 18 percent of the
students said that social economic status
influence them to some extent.
DISCUSSION
The most important purpose of my study is to
measure the effectiveness of the motivation
among youth. If they are encouraged they work
hard to achieve the goals of their life and if they
are disheartened they give up. Overall the
respondents, irrespective of their gender
answered that they want to improve their life
style with a good career. However, they were not
much concerned about their self- grooming.
Respondents got inspired by those who have
attained their desired career field; resulted in a
better career decision making ability. As a

50

promising career increases family income that is

very important in Pakistani culture.
Youth in Pakistan is experiencing a lot of
hardships in career related decisions making; as
60 percent of youth remains confused in choosing
a career while 92 percent of them depend on
others for choosing a career. Cultural demands
are negatively effecting the decision making
power of the youth, which results in the
redefinition of their aims for life achievements.
Only 44 percent youth remains successful in
getting career counselling from their family
members.
CONCLUSION
This research study concludes that there is a
strong connection between achievements,
motivation and career decision making. The study
results showed that youngsters are greatly
influenced by luxuries of modern life styles
therefore they are motivated to achieve their
career for attaining a high status in the society. It
is concluded that highly motivated people can
aim high to achieve better careers for bringing
improvements in their living standards as
compared to less motivated people. Both
motivation and career decision making are
interrelated.
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1979 Individual Decision-making and
Creativity. Organizational Behaviour.

McClelland, David C.
1965
Toward a Theory of Motive
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American
Psychologist
20(5):321.

Jepsen, David A., and Dale J. Prediger

1981 Dimensions
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Analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior
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2016 The Explorer Islamabad Journal of Social Sciences Pakistan

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1985
Human
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Publication Date: Jan-31 -2016

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