Dharma and interest-occupation congruence in Asian Indian college students

Interest-occupation congruence and career exploration behaviors were examined in a sample of 107 White and 83 Asian Indian American college students. It was hypothesized that there would be both intergroup differences and intragroup differences. Asian Indians were expected to evidence less congruence and career exploration than Whites. The specific intragroup differences examined were the endorsement of Dharmic values (an Indian value of tradition and duty), which was hypothesized to be related to lower congruence and less career exploration. Results of hierarchical regressions demonstrated that the hypotheses were supported with respect to congruence but not career exploration. Results are discussed with respect to the importance of duty in the career selection process and Asian Indians in particular.