The research study aims to investigate the categories of basic needs underlying the professional motivation of the students enrolled in the first year of study. The study was conducted on a batch of 75 first year students from an agronomic faculty. From the methodological point of view, the questionnaire survey was used, using a 35-question questionnaire as a tool. The results have been grouped into five categories of fundamental needs: physiological, security, affiliation and group needs, devotion and status needs, and self-reliance needs. The conclusions have revealed that in choosing the profession the students are oriented mainly according to the need for self-reliance, but also according to the need for respect and status. The study provides openings for further research into career counseling and motivation in professional work.

Key words: professional motivation, higher education, fundamental needs

social sciences

Presentation: poster