The role of social media in career discovery, aspirations, and choice of South African university students: A Social Cognitive Perspective

dc.contributor.authorCronje, Sherrilee
dc.contributor.supervisorMlilo, Sifiso
dc.date.accessioned2025-04-30T12:15:03Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.descriptionA research report Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for a Master’s degree in organizational/industrial psychology, In the Faculty of Humanities , School of Human and Community development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024
dc.description.abstractThe aim of this study was to explore the role of social media in shaping the career discovery, aspirations, and choices of South African university students. This was explored through three key research questions around how South African university students perceive the influence of social media in the discovery and exploration of career options, how they perceive the influence of social media in the formations of their career aspirations, and how they perceive the influence of social media on their career decisions. A cross-sectional, qualitative, interpretivist research design was employed whereby data was gathered through non-probability convenience sampling through volunteers and snowball/chain sampling methods as well as a purposive strategy. Interviews were conducted on the sample, and these were then analysed through a thematic analysis methodology in order to explore the experiences of the participants. The sample consisted of 14 individuals between the ages of 22-27 who were studying in South Africa through a tertiary educational institution. The study utilized Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as a theoretical framework to understand the impact of social media on the behaviour and career development of South African students. SCCT proved highly beneficial in explaining the role of social media in shaping career interests and facilitating career exploration. While social media played a significant role in exposing students to various career options and influencing their perceptions, it was not perceived as the primary determinant of career choices. Rather, personal interests, passions, and other factors played a more significant role. Nevertheless, social media did have an indirect influence on career decisions by providing information and shaping perceptions. The study's findings align with previous research but also offer nuanced insights, contributing to the understanding of social media's role in the career journey. This research fills a gap in South African literature and lays the groundwork for future studies in this area.
dc.description.submitterMM2025
dc.facultyFaculty of Humanities
dc.identifier.citationCronje, Sherrilee. (2024). The role of social media in career discovery, aspirations, and choice of South African university students: A Social Cognitive Perspective [Masters dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/44889
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/44889
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
dc.rights© 2024 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
dc.rights.holderUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
dc.schoolSchool of Human and Community Development
dc.subjectUCTD
dc.subjectThe role of social media in career discovery
dc.subjectcareer aspirations
dc.subjectand career choice of South African university students. A Social Cognitive Perspective. Career Choices. Career Development Journey. Social Media Platforms. Career Factors
dc.subject.primarysdgSDG-4: Quality education
dc.titleThe role of social media in career discovery, aspirations, and choice of South African university students: A Social Cognitive Perspective
dc.typeDissertation

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Cronje_Role_2024.pdf
Size:
1.29 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
2.43 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: