VOLUNTEERING AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS AS PART OF INDIVIDUAL CAREER MANAGEMENT

Abstract

In this study, we examine the motives behind higher education students’ volunteering and its determinants based on a survey (N=2,199) conducted in five Central and Eastern European countries. The literature shows that, besides traditional volunteering, which has the objective of helping others, it is also common for the former to engage in career-focused volunteering, which is aimed at networking and the acquisition of work experience and professional knowledge. Our regression results suggest that career-building motivation is more pronounced among women and among those who have close relationships with friends outside higher education institutions, but is considered less important among students in Hungary and those who study sciences, computer science, and engineering. Further regression results show that the likelihood of volunteering being related to the field of study is higher among those with an unfavorable financial situation in the family, students who have a close relationship with faculty, those who study in Romania, and students on teacher training programs.