The future aspirations of Masters’ degree students in asymmetrical university spaces in Mexico City and Guadalajara

Abstract

This article analyzes the aspirations for the future of students of the Masters’ degree programs of Law, Business Management, and Engineering from a non-representative sample of Consolidated University Spaces and Spaces in a Process of Consolidation in Mexico City and Guadalajara. Our analysis shows that economic (earning a lot of money and achieving economic stability) and academic aspirations (studying a PhD, teaching and doing research) have lost importance, while the students’ main aspirations for the future revolve around the social-relational and the labor market, as seen in their aim of achieving financial stability and recognition as professionals. While female students seek to have new experiences and opportunities to travel, men seek prestige as a main aim.