Factors Affecting Career Choice of Graduates in Pakistan

Abstract

This study examines the factors influencing career choices among graduates in Sindh, Pakistan, focusing on the interplay of academic activities, environmental factors, job opportunities, and personality traits. The research aims to provide insights into how these factors shape career decision-making in a collectivist society, contributing to the theoretical understanding and practical application of career development frameworks. Using mixed methods, the study combines quantitative data with qualitative insights collected from 391 respondents using structured questionnaires. Key techniques used for the analysis were Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and exploratory factor analysis, which were carried out through SPSS and SmartPLS tools; the results show that academic activities were the most important determinant of career-related choices, supported by environmental variables. While job opportunities and personality make a marginal contribution. Gender disparities and regional inequities further complicate the career decision-making process, with rural graduates and women facing unique barriers to accessing education and employment opportunities.