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. Based on the literature, we hypothesize that, besides traditional volunteering, which has the objective of helping others, it is also common to pursue career-focused volunteering, which is aimed at networking and the acquisition of work experience and professional knowledge. Cluster analysis results reveal the presence of traditional as well as career-focused volunteers, who also find it important to help others. Logistic regression results suggest that career-building motivations are more frequent among students who are in an unfavorable financial situation, display intensive individual religiosity and have close social relationships. Further regression results show that the country, the field of study and the relationship with faculty all influence whether volunteer work is related to the field of study.