https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50349 Sat, 02 May 2026 02:27:49 GMT 2026-05-02T02:27:49Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51543 Title: Life beyond pregnancy : career guidance through the eyes of teenage mothers : a qualitative study Abstract: The aim of this dissertation is to see career guidance through the eyes of mothers who experienced pregnancy during their teenage years. Eight mothers, who got pregnant when they were from fifteen to eighteen years of age and who attended or are still attending Servizz Għożża, participated in one-to-one, semi-structured interviews. The three main theories that were used for this research were Super’s Lifespan Theory, Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development and Lent, Brown and Hackett’s Social Cognitive Career Theory. A qualitative approach was used to gain insight into how these women’s experiences have influenced their career paths. Thematic Analysis revealed three main themes, namely the challenges experienced by teenage mothers in their day-to-day lives, the coping strategies they adopted to be able to deal with their various roles, and their experience of career guidance or lack thereof. The findings revealed that these teenage mothers benefited from tailor-made career guidance as well as continuous support and encouragement. Indeed, for some teenage mothers, the incessant support provided by Servizz Għożża changed the course of their lives. Description: M.LIFELONG CAREER GUIDANCE&DEV. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51543 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51494 Title: The role of career guidance in secondary school subject choice : a case study Abstract: This case study considered the factors which influence Maltese students in their Year 8 subject choice and the career guidance they are offered to assist them in their choice. Gottfredson’s theory of Circumscription, Compromise and Self-Creation illustrates how both individual and environmental factors influence decision making according to the different stages of career development. Furthermore, Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital and the educational advantage enjoyed by middle class students provide further insight into students’ subject choice. Research was carried out in a state college in two phases. In the first phase, a questionnaire was distributed among all Year 9 students who had gone through the option exercise during the previous scholastic year. Within the second phase, qualitative interviews were carried out with three career guidance professionals who work at the college and six Year 9 students who would have liked to make changes to their subject choice. Three main factors emerged as influencing students in their choice: interest in the subject; utility of the subject; and perceived ability in the subject. Gender specific choices were observed and aspirations were somewhat determined by the father’s occupation. While students were offered a three tiered service of career guidance, they nevertheless appeared to have limited knowledge about career guidance services in their school. Indeed, very few students sought individual career guidance sessions. The majority of students consulted their parents prior to making their choice. A number of suggestions on improving the option exercise are put forward, while further research on increasing collaboration between the school and parents is proposed. Description: M.LIFELONG CAREER GUIDANCE&DEV. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51494 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51493 Title: The perspective of women who broke the glass ceiling in Malta’s financial services sector Abstract: The aim of this research was to get a deeper insight and a better understanding of how women, who are occupying or have occupied Executive Management positions in Malta’s financial services sector, managed to break the glass ceiling. The study uses the gender lens to look into the organisational demands within organisations, and family expectations that may encumber women from climbing the corporate career ladder. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight females who occupy or have occupied Executive Management positions in local organisations. The women came from different segments of the financial sector: banking, law firms specialising in financial services, audit firms and insurance. The data collected was analysed using the Thematic Analysis approach (Braun & Clarke, 2006). This dissertation features four major connecting factors:  The association between gender and power and how it can impact the career progression of a woman;  Gender diversity on boards and Gender pay gap;  Work-life balance and family friendly measures;  The main hindrances and hurdles that women encounter during their career progression; Analysis of these features lead to identification of the key factors that women required in order to break this glass ceiling phenomenon. Description: B.WORK&H.R.(HONS) Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51493 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51492 Title: Work-family conflicts of working fathers holding managerial positions in the hospitality industry Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative research is to explore how fathers, who work in the hospitality industry, who hold a managerial post, and who are in a dual or semi dual-earner relationship, manage their family role together with their professional roles. The study provides an overview of the hurdles they have to overcome in order to try and strike a balance between both roles. Their experience of Work-Family conflict has been assessed. Studies have shown that the number of working fathers experiencing Work-Family conflict is on the rise globally. Eight semi-structured interviews were held with fathers who hold a managerial post in the hospitality Industry, in order to achieve the aim of this study. Data collected from this research was analysed using the Thematic Analysis approach. From the research undertaken it resulted that one of the main factors which makes it difficult for working fathers to strike a balance between work and family life is the high work demands prevalent in the hospitality industry. The extent to which participants are able to manage and limit work-family conflict is highly dependent on the support of their spouse. Description: B.WORK&H.R.(HONS) Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51492 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z