The Explorer Islamabad: Journal of Social Sciences

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

Vol-2, Issue (1):50-52
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, Career Making

INTRODUCTION attitudes, and values (Schneider 1987). The need for

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,
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 person’s strong will
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

50
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youngsters. It was a quantitative research study. A Maintain good life style 38 76.0
structured questionnaire was prepared for data Total 50 100.0
collection. The questionnaire was based on close
Table no.4 shows that the factors that affect career
ended questions. A sample of 50 respondents was
decision making and later achievements in job. 12
selected by using purposive sampling technique.
percent respondents wanted to achieve high status in
Respondents of the study were youth, between the
the society. 4 percent of the respondents want to
age of 18-30 years.
influence their peers or group members. 6 percent
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table.1: Gender Distribution
told that were aiming to increase their family income
while 76 percent respondents want to maintain a
Response Frequency Percent
good life style that is why they wanted to work hard
Male 17 34.0 to have a better career after completion of their
Female 33 66.0 education.
Total 50 100.0 Table.5: Purpose of Struggle

Table no. 1 shows sex wise distribution of the Responses Frequency Percent
respondents. Data was collected from both male and Get good job 8 16
female respondents.34 percent of the respondents Raise economic status
were male while 66 percent respondents were female. 6 12
of the family
Table.2: Educational Profile
higher education 15 30
Response Frequency Percent
Improve life style 17 34
FA/Fsc 7 14.0
0thers 3 6
BA/BSC 18 36.0
Total 50 100
MA/MSC 25 50.0 While talking about purpose of their struggle, the 16
Total 50 100.0 percent of the respondents related it to get a good
Table no. 2 is about educational profile of the job while12 percent of the respondents wanted to
respondents. It depicts that 14 percent students were improve their socio-economic status. Another 30
at intermediate whereas 36 percent students were at percent replied that they want to get higher
graduation level. And 50 percent students were of education. However, a large percentage of 34 percent
post-graduation level. wanted to uplift their life style and 6 percent gave
Table.3: Family Structure other reasons for their struggle.
Responses Frequency Percent Table.6: Effect of Social Economic Status on Education
Responses Frequency Percent
Nuclear 43 86.0
Yes 28 56.0
Extended 1 2.0
No 12 24.0
Joint 5 10.0
To some extent 9 18.0
Total 50 100.0
Table no. 3 represents family structure of the Total 50 100.1
respondents. Most of the people live in nuclear The effect of social economic status on students
family system which is about 86 percent.2 percent of shows that 56 percent students attributed that social
the respondents live in extended family system and economic status does influence the education while
10 percent of them live in joint family system which is 24 percent students felt that it does not affect at all.
very low percentage. Only 18 percent of the students said that social
Table.4: Influencing Factors in Career Decision Making economic status influence them to some extent.
Responses Frequency Percent The most important purpose of my study is to
measure the effectiveness of the motivation among
Ambition to achieve a high
6 12.0 youth. If they are encouraged they work hard to
status
achieve the goals of their life and if they are
peer pressure 2 4.0 disheartened they give up. Overall the respondents,
Increase family income 3 6.0 irrespective of their gender answered that they want

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to improve their life style with a good career. McClelland, David C.
However, they were not much concerned about their 1961 The Achieving Society. Princeton, NJ:
self- grooming. Respondents got inspired by those Van Nestran.
who have attained their desired career field; resulted
in a better career decision making ability. As a McClelland, David C.
promising career increases family income that is very 1965 Toward a Theory of Motive
important in Pakistani culture. Acquisition. American Psychologist 20(5):321.
Youth in Pakistan is experiencing a lot of hardships in
career related decisions making; as 60 percent of Schneider, Benjamin
youth remains confused in choosing a career while 92 1987 The People Make the Place.
percent of them depend on others for choosing a Personnel Psychology 40(3): 437- 453.
career. Cultural demands are negatively effecting the
decision making power of the youth, which results in Pintrich, Paul R., and Dale H. Schunk 2002
the redefinition of their aims for life achievements. Motivation in Education: Theory, Research and
Only 44 percent youth remains successful in getting Applications. Upper Saddle River, N.J.:Merrill,
career counselling from their family members. Prentice-Hall International.
CONCLUSION
This research study concludes that there is a strong Tucker, Carolyn M., Rose A. Zayco, Keith C. Herman,
connection between achievements, motivation and Wendy M. Reinke, Mark Trujillo, Kirsten Carraway,
career decision making. The study results showed Cory Wallack, and Phyllis D. Ivery
that youngsters are greatly influenced by luxuries of 2002 Teacher and Child Variables as
modern life styles therefore they are motivated to Predictors of Academic Engagement among
achieve their career for attaining a high status in the Low-income African American Children.
society. It is concluded that highly motivated people Psychology in the Schools 39(4): 477-488
can aim high to achieve better careers for bringing
improvements in their living standards as compared Weiner, Bernard
to less motivated people. Both motivation and career 1990 History of Motivational Research in
decision making are interrelated. Education. J. Educ. Psychology 82(4):
616–622.
REFERENCES
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Jepsen, David A., and Dale J. Prediger 1981

Dimensions of Adolescent
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McClelland, David C., Clark Russell A. Roby, Thornton

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Achievement on Thematic Apperception.
Journal of Experimental Psychology 39(2):
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McClelland, David C.
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Scott Foresman.

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