Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Date of Submission

2025-07-15

Advisor

Hajrah Rahman

Committee

Hajrah Rahman, Amna Tufail

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

Career Decision Satisfaction, Choice Overload, Familial Influence

Abstract

This research study’s primary aim is to investigate the impact of increasing career path choices and familial involvement on career decision satisfaction among undergraduate Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) students in Karachi, Pakistan. This research integrates the framework of Barry Schwartz’s Paradox of Choice, particularly within the collectivist context where family influence plays a significant role in shaping career decisions.
A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was carried out with 62 undergraduates who are majoring in HSS. The study used a structured questionnaire incorporating the Career Decision-Making Profile (CDMP) and a self developed Decision Satisfaction scale. The findings of this study supported both hypotheses, students who perceived a greater number of career path options reported lower satisfaction. Additionally, students who reported greater family involvement were more satisfied with their career decisions. While the family input construct to assess the second hypothesis had low internal consistency, the findings reflect the collectivist cultural context and supports the assumption that parental involvement serves as a source of guidance.
This study concludes by highlighting the need for improved career support systems for HSS undergraduates to make informed decisions they are less likely to regret. The study also aims to challenge the collectivist view of how HSS degrees are invaluable and highlight the importance of this degree as graduates in HSS have the potential to greatly contribute towards the economy.

Pages

62

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