• The Perspectives of Health Students at University of Medical Sciences on Their Study Field and Future Career Opportunity
  • mahshid bahrami,1,* samira eydi,2 Alireza Dehdashti,3 meysam karami,4 Yaser Haj Heydari,5
    1. MsC student, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    2. Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    3. Associate Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
    4. BSc Student, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
    5. MsC student, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran


  • Introduction: Universities are the origin of society revolution and main component of the universities and society’s organization. Student perspective about factors (such as sex, age and field of study) in relation with future career is an effective component in their enthusiasm, and should be investigated. The number of students in higher learning has increased due to the expansion of academic institutions. . Many students are concerned about their study and future career. The purpose of this study was to identify students̕ perspectives and attitudes toward their public health education and future career opportunity.
  • Methods: This study used qualitative methods to examine the perceived influences on college students' selection and implementation of career choices. In this study, the factors affecting the choice of occupational career among students, support and barriers to tracking their choices and the ways they used to cope with selected barriers were dealt with. In a cross-sectional study, 62 students in health were entered the study through census method. Students answered a questionnaire developed by Minnesota University including 17 questions on demographics and students̕ perspectives and attitudes. One-way ANOVA, t-test, and chi-square test were used for data analysis.
  • Results: The mean and standard deviation of age of students was 21.39±1.26 years. A high proportion of participants were female students (87.1%). The findings revealed the average scores of students perceptions on their field of study and future career opportunity rated 53.19±8.81. While over half of students (56.5%) reported positive perception towards their health educational and training experience, most of them indicated negative perception concerning career opportunity in the future (54.8%). Personal interests, serving society, social status of health and society’s belief on the importance of health were the most important factors positive attitude about future career of health students.
  • Conclusion: According to the findings, around half of students had negative perspectives towards their field of study and future career. Assessing students̕ perspectives concerning their education and future career may help faculties and authorities to propose effective planning. Therefore field of study proper distribution of human resources, providing financial support of employment, establishing counselling and supporting centers for students is recommended to improve their attitudes.
  • Keywords: Perspective, Health students, Career opportunity, Career Future, College`s students