Learning Styles and Career Preference - Coursework Example

Learning styles and career preference Background to the Study Learning is the ultimate experience of any person’s lifestyle. The learning process incorporates the acquiring of new skills and using them in different life situations. Since the learning process is continuous in the lifestyle of a person, then the question is whether different learning styles have an impact on the career choice of an individual. Research has revealed that the learning process can either be conscious or unconscious. However, the final outcome from the two forms of learning is the same in that the individual acquires something new. There are many factors which researchers believe to have some effect on the learning process in the lifecycle of an individual hence affecting career choice (Reid, p.27). Some of these factors are negative while others are positive in nature. The purpose of this research study is to determine whether the different learning styles have an impact on the career choice of an individual. Statement of the problem The term learning style has had many definitions and one of them is the process of organizing facts and coming into touch with the reality. Career preference on the other hand may be defined as the choice of occupation necessary for one to make a living. The learning style in this case is the independent variable whereas the career preference is the dependent variable. The problem under investigation in this case is the effect of inadequate knowledge in learning styles on career preference. Purpose of the study The purpose or objective of the study is important in that it gives a sense of direction to the researcher. The purpose of this study will be to determine whether there is a correlation between learning styles and the choice of occupation or career an individual selects. Hypothesis A hypothesis is important in any form of research and assists the researcher in sticking to the topic under investigation. The hypothesis of the study in this case is: there is a correlation between the learning styles and career choice of an individual. Significance of the study The significance of this study would be to assist tutors in different academic institutions to come up with the best strategies in assisting students in learning. It would also assist in assisting tutors determine the best learning styles to be adopted for students on different career paths. This would enhance the education system and assist in ensuring that students acquire education in most effective and efficient way possible. On the other hand, the research would ensure that the needs of the students are fully catered for in that they would feel comfortable learning through a particular learning style that suits their career path. This aspects reveal that the research is aimed at focusing on the welfare needs of both the teachers and the students. Review of literature Research has revealed that students at different academic levels will prefer different styles of learning in relation to what they desire to be in the future (Pritchard, p.56). Students with the passion of becoming engineers in the future are comfortable with the kinesthetic style of learning. This is an active learning style that requires high activity from the part of the student. The student is comfortable with this learning style because it requires a lot of practical activity and experimentations. The aural or verbal styles of learning would not be effective for students on this career path. Researchers from different academic institutions reveal that the learning style selected by the teachers should be compatible with the interests of the students. Learning would be ineffective and the interest of the students would not be met if the style of learning would somehow be incompatible with the career preference. Career preference is at some point determined by the personality trait of an individual (Sonbuchner, p.72). Additionally, the personality of a student determines the style of learning the students prefers. Therefore, tutors should focus on the personality of the student before adopting a particular learning style because this has a direct impact on career choice. Statistics from research conducted on students who focus on business as their career path, revealed that these students are much more comfortable with the logic style of learning compared to other forms of learning. Logic is important in any business career as it requires the application of reasoning and mathematical calculation. This acts as evidence that the career selected by the student is enhanced by the learning style of the student. Further research on career choice and the learning styles revealed that the application of spatial, interpersonal and kinesthetic styles of learning have a great impact on students on the career path of medicine and nursing (Mumford, p. 49). There are a variety of reasons which would be used to justify this notion. These professions require a lot of social interaction and this is the reason why the interpersonal style of learning would have an impact towards encouraging students to select these professions. The kinesthetic style of learning is of great significance because the medicine and nursing careers are practical and require the active participation of the individual. The intrapersonal style of learning has been known to have an impact on students with the passion of venturing into the career of computer science (Illeris, p.62). This is a field that requires a lot of concentration and may be the reason why this learning style would be most effective for students on this career path. Research reveals that most computer experts prefer working in solitude environments and this could be the reason why most computer hackers in the United States are found to live solitary lifestyles. The learning style adopted by the tutors is therefore one of the most important factors towards enhancing the career path of the students at different levels of learning. Once an effective learning style is used, then it would create an easy time for the students as far as career choice is concerned. It is therefore the obligation of the tutors to have adverse knowledge on learning style so as to come up with the best possible solution to handle students with different passions in career choice. This would act as a form of motivation and encouragement to the students once they feel that their needs are being catered for by the application of learning styles that make them feel comfortable. Research design A research design can be defined as a systematic structure that puts together all the scientific aspects of research to come up with the expected results. It acts as a guiding tool to the research study because it creates a sense of direction to the research study. This design enables the researcher come up with the most effective methods of collecting data from the sources available in relation to the research study. In this case, the data collection methods would involve natural observation, interviews and questionnaires. The reason for utilizing these methodologies is that they are the most effective and efficient methods when dealing with human subjects in the research study. Variables These are the variables which stand on their own. These are the central variables such that all the dependent variables are linked them. They are the main characters in the research study. In this research study the independent variable is learning styles. These are the variables which when manipulated by the researcher affect the state of the independent variables. In this case the dependent variable for this research study is career choice. The entire dependent variables are attached to the independent variable in some way. Study location The study location for this research study would be in different academic institutions that would range from the junior to the senior levels. This would be the ideal location for the study because the objective of the study is aimed at investigating the impact on the styles of learning at the academic level. Data collection These are the methods by which data is collected from the subjects. The methods of data collection and mainly depend on the research which is being conducted. For the purpose of this study Questionnaires would be effective for data collection. One of the advantages of using questionnaire is that the shy respondents are in a better position to answer confidential questions. Data analysis Data analysis can be defined as the process which the researcher assesses and selects the data which is relevant in the research study and eliminates any irrelevant data. It also involves compiling the data which may be in form of numbers or expressions. The compilation of the data is what gives rise to meaningful information for the research study. Data may be represented in the descriptive way whereby it is shown numerically. The latter to this way of data representation is referred to as the inferential way. The most significant way of analyzing data in this research study will be the quantitative analysis. Recommendations It is crucial that teachers at different levels of academic institutions be equipped with adverse knowledge on the impact that learning styles have on the career path of students. This knowledge would be important for the teachers in that they would be in a better position to handle the needs of the students as well as counseling as far as career choice is concerned. Conclusion Since education is what triggers different interests amongst students that help in selecting different careers, it is important to ensure effective and efficient learning styles are adopted. This is the single most reason why the learning styles adopted in administering education is important. From the findings of different research projects conducted on the issue, it can be concluded that different styles of learning have a significant impact on the careers chosen by students. It is through these learning styles that students are able to discover what their passions are. It is the obligation of tutors at different levels of learning to come up with ways through which students can acquire education without constraints. Different academic institutions should ensure that the staffs involved in educating students are well equipped with knowledge relating to the different styles of learning. This would enhance the system of learning and students would have an easy task of perfecting their career paths. Works cited Pritchard, A. Ways of Learning. London: David Fulton Publishers. 2008. Reid, G. Learning Styles and inclusion. New York: Sage Publications. 2005. Sonbuchner, G, M. The Learning Styles Handbook for Teachers and Tutors. NewYork: Sage Publications. 2008. Pritchard, A. Ways of Learning: Learning Theories and Learning Styles in the Classroom. London: David Fulton Publishers. 2006. Illeris, S. Contemporary Theories of Learning. London: Routledge. 2008. Mumford, A. and Honey, P. Learning Styles Questionnaire 2006: 80 Item Version. New York: Peter Honey Publications. 2006. Read More