Graduate Students' Career Aspiration, Time Management, and Motivation for Success: Testing a Self-Determination Theory Model

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Graduate School and Workforce Transition

Abstract

The current study tested a conceptual model based on self-determination theory hypothesizing that graduate students intrinsic motivation is an important predictor of academic success, as well as served as a mediator for career aspiration and time management. Data from 324 graduate students was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The result showed that intrinsic motivation positively predicted academic success. Time management had a direct positive predictive effect on perceived success, but not career aspiration. However, the mediation model revealed that the predictive effect of career aspiration on perceived success was almost entirely through autonomy and intrinsic motivation. The findings strongly support self-determination theory as a framework to understand graduate students success, which has implications for the graduate student development literature.

Authors

• Ademola Amida, North Dakota State University

• Sameera S Algarni, University of North Dakota

• Robert H. Stupnisky, University of North Dakota