Investigating the Dimensions of Career path in Faculty Members ( the case of study: Urmia University)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensions of career path among the faculty members of Urmia University.

This is a descriptive and correlational study, and the statistical population included all of the full-time faculty members of Urmia University. According to the latest statistics and available information at Urmia University in the academic year of 1398-1399, a total of 537 full-time faculty members were working at this university. The total sample size was 230, that was determined by proportional stratified sampling method using Cochran formula. In order to collect data, a researcher-made career path questionnaire was used. The questionnaire consisted of 90 questions that assessed 15 aspects of the career path of faculty members. The reliability of this questionnaire was also evaluated in this study, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the whole questionnaire was 86/.  One-sample t-test and Friedman tests were used for statistical analysis.

The results showed that each of the dimensions of career path are of great importance to the faculty members of Urmia University, and it can be said that they are in a good status.  among these 15 dimensions, research variables, organizational knowledge, relations with community, and positive attitude with an average of ( 4.98) are in the most suitable condition. Furthermore, the relationship with industry was in a low rank with an average of (4.90). The Friedman test was used to examine the second question regarding the prioritization of career path. The results showed that the dimensions of interaction and cooperation are the most important ones. Moreover, the connection with industry has the lowest average.

Based on the research findings, it can be said that career path and having a career path are important and necessary for faculty members, and with regarding to these dimensions, some suggestions were provided for the promotion and status of faculty members.