Determinants of project management career among students

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of project management career intentions among non-technical students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kedah, focusing on the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and knowledge. A quantitative approach was employed, utilizing survey data from a sample of 86 students out of a population of 110 enrolled in the ADS512 Project Management course. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationships between these factors and students’ career intentions.The results indicate that attitudes, subjective norms, and knowledge exhibit significant positive correlations with career intentions, whereas perceived behavioral control demonstrates a moderate association. However, multiple regression analysis identifies attitude as the most significant predictor of project management career intention, while the effects of subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and knowledge were not statistically significant. This research is particularly relevant for non-technical students, who often lack structured exposure to project management careers despite the growing demand for skilled project managers. According to Andre Nemeh, Rajibu l Hasan, and Öncü Hazir (2022), project management skills are increasingly essential as millions of new projects will require capable individuals to manage their complexities. Insights from the Project Management Institute (PMI, 2021) reveal that 93% of organizations globally implement project management practices, yet in 2018, 68% had to outsource project managers due to a lack of internal capabilities. In the Malaysian context, a study by Au, Abd-Karim, and Danuri (2018) highlighted a notable lack of awareness about project management career pathways. At UiTM Kedah, non-technical students often learn about project management through courses, workshops, and experiential learning, but these opportunities remain limited and underpromoted. Therefore, this study provides crucial insights into the factors that may influence students' intentions to pursue a project management career, supporting efforts to better align educational offerings with industry needs.