PERCEPTION OF CAREERS AND THE LABOR MARKET AMONG STUDENTS IN THE UNDERGRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Among all the existing undergraduate courses, the Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences offers, in addition to teaching, a wide range of opportunities in the job market, allowing for work as biologists. This study aimed to assess the main concerns of Biological Sciences undergraduate students at IFAP - Jari Campus regarding the profession and the field of practice of a biologist. Based on these concerns, an educational material in the form of a booklet was developed to guide and address the students' doubts who identify with this profession. The research conducted had a qualitative and exploratory-descriptive approach, where information was collected in two phases: during a lecture and through an online questionnaire. The data obtained during the lecture were used to create an educational product in the form of a booklet, while the questionnaire assessed the students' opinions about the generated product. A total of eight individuals participated in the research, and their main doubts about the biologist profession were related to the requirements to become a biologist, where a biologist works, and how to enter the job market. Three categories of opinions were formed during the analysis of the booklet evaluation responses: doubts clarified, content irrelevance, and the novelty of the content. Overall, the educational product created was well-received by the target audience and achieved the objectives proposed in the study.