The potential role of gamification in career guidance in STEM fields

Surveying the career guidance needs of high school students

Abstract

High drop-out rates in recent years affect all universities in Hungary. Moreover, there is an increasing demand for graduates in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). In this situation, one of the primary tasks of higher education institutions is to examine the opportunities offered by their own frameworks and to find effective solutions to respond to these issues. This research investigates the career-related activities and information acquisition habits of secondary school students interested in technical higher education, as well as the possibilities for developing the career guidance tools used at the University of Pécs, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. The research was conducted within the framework of the Open Days organized at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology of the University of Pécs on 10 December 2023 and 18 January 2024. The survey was carried out both online and during the event using a paper-based questionnaire. The results show that candidates are becoming more aware of their sources of information, which in terms of career guidance means higher education
institutions and their career guidance activities. As is typical of Generation Z, they have a growing demand for experience-based, gamified career guidance solutions. The results will help the institution to shape its career guidance activities toward the needs of potential students.