CHANGES IN CAREER PREFERENCES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A STUDY OF BUSINESS UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

Purpose: This study attempts to investigate the change in career preference of business undergraduates of Bangladesh due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Design/Methodology: This study is an observational study, where 620 respondents’ data are collected and analyzed. Percentages of career preference changes and reasons for career preference changes of business undergraduates due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are analyzed based on Dhaka, Bangladesh. The paired sample [Formula: see text]-test is used to define the significance of this study. Findings: Most of the preferred fields by the respondents in the coming years are MNCs and the banking sector. However, because of the major consequences of COVID-19, graduates plan to change their careers. More than average, all respondents are planning to change their career preferences to government services and business. The main reasons for the career preference of business graduates before COVID-19 were financial benefits and compensation, social status, and good career opportunities. Now they want a safe and secure source of income for their families and for themselves. Practical Implications: The results of the study can be useful for both academics in their quest to guide students in changes in career preferences and for governments and practitioners to understand the future career preferences of business graduates.