The research project Monitoring is dedicated to the various aspects of educational and occupational choices of high-school graduates and freshmen. Since 1995 high-school students who were in their senior year and college and university freshmen have been interviewed (telephone interview or written interview) in the form of representative surveys. The question topics were motives, information behaviour, decision-making and current developments in the education sector and the professional world. The main aim of the survey is to gain a scientific basis for the information service. Plans and their realisation are analysed in the temporal longitudinal section. Decision making and the satisfaction with the occupational choice as well as attitudes and values are the focal point of the survey. The main interest is the graduates’ (year 2006) short-term and long-term plans for their future. Their overall attitude towards educational and occupational possibilities as well as concrete plans. Motives and factors of influence - especially information and its media - for the educational and occupational choice as well as the underlying values are of centrality. The results of the questions of the usage and the importance of educational and occupational information as well as the level of knowledge concerning this topic and possibly deficient areas shall give practice-oriented advice to the commissioner Arbeitsmarktservice AMS (job centre) and other job information centres. Furthermore, confidence in making the decision and problem situations as well as attitudes towards current developments in the education and professional world.

Non-probability

Self-administered questionnaire: Paper