Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 2

Future geography graduates - how much their degree matters? Student expectations at Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia

Eva Polonyová, Marcel Horňák, Ivan Zelko, Alexander Lux, Thomas L. Rost

Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 2, pp. 111-122 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0083

Abstract

Higher education has been perceived as a value, necessary for the process of societal development, as well as the development of individuals in post-socialist Europe. In this context, the paper aims to focus on Geography students and graduates to analyse their expectations for their futures in the discipline. Geography students are discussed here at Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia, but implications can be applied broadly. In particular, gender-based differences were revealed in Geography students' ambitions related to their future careers. Not surprisingly, attitudes of students and Geography teaching staff differ substantially in some aspects, including labour-market orientation of Geography curriculum. Lack of practical and business-related skills in existing curriculum might be a limitation of the graduates' labour prospects.

Keywords: higher education, university, geography, professional carrier, expectations

Eva Polonyová, Department of Human Geography and Demography Comenius University Mlynská dolina Ilkovičova 6, 845 38 Bratislava: Slovakia
Marcel Horňák, Department of Human Geography and Demography Comenius University Mlynská dolina Ilkovičova 6, 845 38 Bratislava: Slovakia
Ivan Zelko, Institute of Chemistry Slovak Academy of Science Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava: Slovakia
Alexander Lux, Department of Plant Physiology Comenius University Mlynská dolina Ilkovičova 6, 845 38 Bratislava: Slovakia
Thomas L. Rost, Department of Plant Biology University of California One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616 Davis: USA