Cultural conformation: habitus and campus in university professional education in the administrative and economic areas

Abstract

During university training, characteristics and skills involved in professional and personal functioning are developed. The norms that involve the practices, beliefs, and values of the group lead to expressions transmitted culturally and are also in constant transformation, although this process has been little documented. The present study sought to recognize elements that compose the university culture among students of administrative, economics careers. Key aspects included the campus as a space of representation of the habitus from a structuralist constructivism position. A total of 606 students of business administration, accounting, and computer science participated in a survey with open questions about choosing their career and positive and negative aspects of their education. Measurement also involved coexistence with their family, friends, professors, and prevailing values in their school. The answers denote an affinity for the profession and practical aspects of its practice, the adoption of differential norms according to the group in which they are, and the values of respect and responsibility in which tolerance and commitment stand out. The findings are discussed concerning the cultural construction of their community.