Factors involved in selection of first-time employment by graduates of allied health professions

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to discover and rank those factors which graduates from allied health professions used to make their decision to accept first-time employment. Also examined were ways in which a school's philosophy may have influenced employment decisions. In addition, the study evaluated how demographic factors such as degree levels (AS, BS and MS), gender, age, marital status, ethnicity and department from which the student graduated, affected the decision-making process of first-time employment.

Procedure: A questionnaire was mailed to the 369 graduates of Loma Linda University's School of Allied Health Professions, classes of 1989 and 1990. Two hundred forty-eight (67%) responded.

Findings: The study findings indicated that: (1) Salary, geographical location, and a warm, open and friendly working environment rank highest in first-time job selection of allied health graduates. (2) Graduates who consider Christian values important rank salary lower in their considerations for first-time employment than those who consider Christian values less important. (3) Multiple job opportunities exist for graduates in allied health. (4) Graduates in general do not use a methodical approach while seeking employment.

Conclusions: (1) Salary is the strongest motivator in first-time employment decisions for allied health graduates. (2) Those who think Christian values are important are less likely to view salary as most important. (3) Allied health graduates enter a job market with a high demand for their services. (4) A need exists for allied health graduates to follow a methodical approach when making their decision for first-time employment.

Recommendations: (1) Institutions interested in recruiting graduates from Allied Health need to study their salary structure and provide a competitive salary. (2) Recruiters need to find creative ways to emphasize the positive aspects of their facilities. (3) Christian universities should continue their emphasis on Christian values. (4) Schools of allied health should continue to develop and tailor their programs to be profession and degree specific, since there is abundance of jobs awaiting these students upon graduation. (5) A methodical approach, based on identified theories of decision-making, needs to be included in the curriculum of all departments in schools of allied health to assist graduates in the selection of their first job.

Availability:
Free
Publication Date:
1994
Author:
Howard W Sulzle
Order Information:
Full-text not available online. Database: ProQuest Digital Dissertations
Subjects:
Language:
English
Resource Type:
Unpublished Plans & Papers; Internet Resources
Resource Objective:
Research
Level:
Tertiary-Lifelong
Audience:
Researcher
Religious Origin:
Seventh-day Adventist