Journal of Education and Future, no.19, pp.75-84, 2021 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
This descriptive study was conducted to identify the motivation levels of university students, factors
affecting their motivation, and students' opinions concerning their professions. The study sample
consisted of 211 students attending the Vocational School of Health Services. Data were assembled
using a “Questionnaire Form” and the “Motivation Sources and Problems Scale”. Frequency,
percentage, arithmetic mean values, and the chi-square, independent group Student t-test, Mann
Whitney U, ANOVA, and Kruskal Wallis tests were used for data analysis. Students’ mean scores
were 41.06 ± 7.17 on the intrinsic motivation sub-dimension, 20.27±3.15 on the extrinsic
motivation sub-dimension, and 25.08 ± 6.76 on the negative motivation sub-dimension, with a mean
overall score of 86.41 ± 12.73. It is found that 91.5% of students had chosen their profession of
their own volition and that 66.4% regarded their profession as important. In conclusion, students’
intrinsic and extrinsic motivation levels were high, while negative motivation was low. Helping
others, ease of finding employment, and selecting their professions of their own volition affect
students’ professional motivation. Students also thought that the working hours were not
excessively demanding and wished to engage in their professions after graduation.
Keywords: Education, professional motivation, students’ motivation, vocational higher school.