Comparing Educational and Occupational Aspirations of Two Groups of Students from Tehran and Zahedan

Educational and occupational aspirations are affected by the social settings and impact both present conditions and future educational and occupational outlooks; hence are an index of inequality in those areas. To explore the extent of such possible phenomenon between Tehran and Zahedan, two cluster samples of 150 eleventh graders from each of the two cities were given a questionnaire on those two subjects. Findings show no difference between educational aspirations of the two groups except for their clarity and diversity. However, for the students from Zahedan, unlike those from Tehran, the high educational aspirations are not accompanied by occupational opportunities wished. As for the occupational aspirations, a significant difference was observed among the two groups as to both type and the level of aspirations. Tehrani students’ aspirations are more diverse and are mostly set at high status and income jobs. What seems significant, and indicative of inequality, is the difference between the educational fields and the type of jobs wished.