ABSTRACT
To identify the academic and career-related factors significant in the choice of a career in medicine, engineering or business at the post-secondary level. The study was a cross sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire with the study variables, academic factors: academic performance, cost of program, duration of program, location of academy and transportation to academy and career factors: job opportunity, security, salary, social respect, working conditions, and work stress. A total of 403 students enrolled in the post-secondary education programs of medicine [135], engineering or business [134 each], at two universities in Ajman participated in the study. The questionnaire asked the participants about the influences in their choice into their respective program. Data were analyzed with predictive analytic software version 18.0. Frequencies, percentages, Chi-square test for association and logistic regression were used for drawing inferences. Around 30% of business students were older than 22 years, and 15% among engineering and medicine students. Business students had 77% females and the others 66%. The academic factors found significant in choosing medicine were academic performance and location of institute, for business the location of institute and for engineering none. Majority of business students perceived career-related factors as most influential: job opportunity [70%], security [51%], salary [55%] and social respect [55%]. The response rate was similar for engineering, but to a lower extent [54%, 40%, 41%, and 49%]. Social respect and job security topped for medicine [45%] along with academic performance [40%]. The factors that influenced business students, identified by adjusted odds ratio, were academic performance, the location of institution and the availability of opportunities. The academic factors found to be significant in this study can be used to assist in career programs in providing guidance to choose a career