Correspondencia entre los intereses vocacionales y la elección de carrera en estudiantes de primer ciclo de Psicología de la Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador (2025-2026)

Abstract

The choice of a profession constitutes a need inherent to the human being, through which a life project is defined. A professional choice that does not correspond to the individual's vocational interests can generate significant consequences, such as academic dropout, low performance, lack of motivation, and emotional discomfort. In this context, the general objective of the present research is to analyze the correspondence between vocational interests and career choice in first-cycle Psychology students at the University of Cuenca, during the 2025–2026 period. To this end, the following specific objectives are proposed: 1) to identify the predominant vocational interests in these students; and 2) to determine possible differences in vocational correspondence according to variables such as sex, age, and the order of career choice. The study adopts a quantitative approach, with a non-experimental design and a descriptive scope. The sample will consist of 126 Psychology students who will participate voluntarily. The sampling is non-probabilistic, by convenience. The CHASIDE Vocational Orientation Questionnarie will be used as the main instrument to identify the vocational and professional orientation of the participants. The results indicated that the Humanistic and Social area was the predominant vocational interest, demonstrating a clear correspondence between vocational profile and the choice of the Psychology degree. However, a high prevalence of mixed profiles was also evidenced, with the Humanistic and Health Sciences tie standing out as the most common, followed by combinations including the Artistic area.