Autor(s):

Mayiana Mitevska, “Paisii Hilendarski” University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, majana.mitevska@uni-plovdiv.bg

Denis Nikiforov, “Paisii Hilendarski” University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, denisnikiforovblog@gmail.com

Paulina Tsvetkova, Institute of Robotics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria, p.tsvetkova@ir.bas.bg

https://doi.org/10.55630/STEM.2025.0733

Abstract:

    The present study analyzes academic motivation and its relationship with career choice among students in school and university settings within the framework of innovative STEM education. Based on an integral psychological concept, the research explores personal and situational factors influencing the motivational process, including emotional regulation, perceptions of the social environment, personality traits, and the need for competence and autonomy. By employing a combined diagnostic toolkit—methods for measuring academic motivation, personality profiles (Big Five), and indicators of life satisfaction—the authors develop a model capable of predicting behavioral attitudes and educational choices. The study proposes a conceptual framework for integrating psychological data into intelligent systems for supporting academic and career decisions. In line with interdisciplinary approaches discussed at conferences on innovative STEM education, the model combines technological solutions with psychological expertise to enable flexible searching and adaptive recommendation of educational and professional pathways according to individual motivational and personality profiles. This integration addresses the need for personalized support strategies in the rapidly changing educational and labor landscape and contributes to increased engagement.

Keywords:

Academic Motivation; Career Choice; STEM Education; Psychological Profiling; Intelligent Systems;

Received:

03-08-2025

Accepted:

18-12-2025

Published:

31-12-2025

Cite (APA style):

Mitevska, M., Nikiforov, D., Tsvetkova, P. (2025). Academic Motivation and Career Choice: Psychological Profiles in Intelligent Decision Support Systems, Science Series "Innovative STEM Education", volume 07, ISSN: 2683-1333, Institute of Mathematics and Informatics – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, pp. 354-363, DOI: https://doi.org/10.55630/STEM.2025.0733

PDF file address:

http://www.math.bas.bg/vt/stemedu/books/07/STEM.2025.0733.pdf