Factors Affecting Students' Motivations for Choosing Technical Associate Degree as a Career in Faculty of Shahid Yazdanpanah of Sanandaj: A Cross-Sectional Study

It is necessary to be informed of student motivational factors to carry out educational planning at universities. This study was undertaken to determine first semester students’ motivation for selecting a technical associate degree at the Shahid Yazdanpanah Faculty in Sanandaj: a branch of the Technical and Vocational University as a cross-sectional study. The research was descriptive-analytical with a quantitative approach using questionnaires. The statistical population comprised of 261 students undertaking associate degrees in their first semester in the academic year 2017-2018. Thus, 150 students were selected via stratified random sampling using the Cochran formula. In order to select the sample, first the statistical population was classified as educational departments based on the available associate degree programs and the statistical sample size. The findings showed that interest and scientific progress ranked first in rating of motives (2.92) for choosing Technical Associate Degree at the Faculty of Shahid Yazdanpanah, Sanandaj Branch of the Technical and Vocational University, followed by job income (2.41), entrance exam score (2.39), and influence of parents and relatives (2.24).