A multi-cultural investigation of students' career anchors at a South African higher education institution

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the career anchors of a large,
\nmulti-cultural sample of South African respondents in an attempt to better
\nunderstand how people from the various age, educational, marital, race and
\ngender groups differ in terms of their career anchors as measured by the Career
\nOrientations Inventory. A sample of 2997 students at a South African higher
\neducation institution participated in the study. The results indicated significant
\ndifferences between the various biographical variables and the participants’
\ncareer anchors. In the context of Employment Equity, and with more women
\nentering the workplace, this study is expected to contribute important knowledge
\nthat will inform career development and retention practices in the contemporary
\nworkplace.