LOUREIRO, Elizabete; LOURINHO, Isabel    FERREIRA, Maria Amélia. The FMUP Open Day: A Contribution to the Vocational Decision of the High School Students . []. , 21, 3-4, pp.83-88. ISSN 2183-2447.

The transition from high school to university is recognized as an important phase of the academic cycle, being of greater importance the process of taking a vocational decision. The majority of students refer that they would like to receive support in exploring the professional world. Therefore, the university institutions should assume a more active role during this process. The aim of this work is to present of the results obtained from the analysis of the questionnaires which evaluated the Open Days (2005 - 2007). Methods: The Centre of Medical Education of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP) by means of its Student Support Office, developed a set of procedures in order to publicize the Open Day, along with a structured program, assuring the effective involvement of FMUP, financial support and evaluation of the event. Results: Of the 688 participants of 29 high school institutions, 516 questionnaires were obtained (75% response rate). Conclusions: The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the results lead us to conclude that the Open Day constitutes a constructive and useful experience during the process of taking a vocational decision, implying that this type of initiative should continue to be carried through.

: FMUP Open-Day; Student Support Office of FMUP; high school; vocational decision.

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