Self-improvement guideline for undergraduate students in Human Resource Management Department, Faculty of Management Science, Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University.

Abstract

     The purposes of this study were to 1) study on problems and needs for self-improvement of undergraduate students, 2) compare the needs for self-development of undergraduate students based on personal factors, and 3) study on self-improvement guidelines for undergraduate students in Human Resource Management Department, Faculty of Management Science, Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University. The sample group in this quantitative research consisted of from 124 undergraduate students in Human Resource Management Department, Faculty of Management Science, Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University studying in the 2nd to the 4th year in semester 1/2020. The sample group in qualitative study consisted of 50 student representatives in 2nd -4th year with characteristics of a group leader. The tools used in this research were questionnaire, unstructured interview, group discussion. The statistical methods applied in this research were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and One-way ANOVA. The data obtained from qualitative approach were analyzed though typological analysis.

     The finding showed that, as for self-improvement problem of undergraduate students, it was found that the problem was at a moderate level (x ̅ = 2.60). Regarding need for self-improvement in relationship and career progress aspects, it was at a moderate level. The students attached importance to relationship (x ̅ = 3.36), life progress (x ̅ = 3.32), and academic aspect (x ̅ = 3.28), respectively. Based on comparison of need for self-improvement of undergraduate students based on personal factors, i.e., gender, year of study through One-way ANOVA, it was found that the needs were not different. The comparison of need for self-improvement of undergraduate students in academic aspect based on year of study through One-way ANOVA showed that the needs were not different. However, considering each item, it was found that the opinion on profound knowledge in major field and self-improvement skill development was different at a significance level of 0.05. The needs for self-improvement in relationship and life progress aspect based on year of study through One-way ANOVA were not different. The analysis for self-improvement guideline suggested that the Faculty of Management Science/ Human Resource Management Department should encourage the undergraduate students to analyze themselves and find their weaknesses, provide opportunities for them to think, design and create self-improvement activities and trainings they needed. The lecturers should take a role as the consultant and engage the undergraduate students in self-improvement activities. In the initial phase, self-improvement activity should be organized. In academic aspect, the activities for acquiring profound knowledge in their major field should be organized. In relationship aspect, there should be activities for personality and social etiquette development. Regarding life progress aspect, there should be activities for communication skill development, particularly in foreign languages.