Social Business and Career Anchors: A Study about the Involvement of University Students

Negócios Sociais e Âncoras de Carreira: Um Estudo sobre o Envolvimento dos Estudantes Universitários

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

the objective of this study is to analyze the career anchors (Schein, 1974) of university students involved in social activities.

Design/methodology/approach:

we chose a quantitative descriptive approach, with the application of a questionnaire to 68 young students participating in the CHOICE ambassador program.

Findings:

results showed the predominance of the service and dedication to a cause anchor, and the relevance of acting in student and volunteer organizations. The career anchor acts as an influencing factor for the interest in social businesses, while previous involvement in other social activities (volunteering and student entities) seems to be the indicator that shows how much the individual will effectively move in the direction of social businesses.

Originality/value:

this result demonstrates the existing alignment between the search for a purpose and working in social businesses. Although the involvement in social activities is becoming increasingly present in university life, companies still do not know how to determine the value of these experiences. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of studying this phenomenon and bringing information that allows these barriers to break, after all, society increasingly needs new solutions to social problems.

Keywords:
Social Business; Career Anchors; University Students