Motivations Affecting Singapore University Students Public- and Private-Sector Job Choices

Abstract

This article investigates whether university students job motivations are different depending on their sectoral job choice. Using stratified random sampling, the author surveyed 253 students in Singapore (response rate = 48 percent). Logistic regression analysis results provided evidence that public service motivation is a significant motivator to Singapore university students who pursue public-sector careers. The results, however, do not exclude the importance of extrinsic motivators such as high salary or opportunity for advancement, which are important to both public- and private-sector job seekers.