Orientación vocacional y profesional para la carrera Bioquímica y Biología Molecular en la educación cubana

Background: choosing a career is a transcendental issue, and therefore, adequate information is necessary. Career guidance is relevant in this process; it allows students to identify their interests, skills, and strengths to make the right decisions. Objective: to identify the difficulties in vocational training and career guidance in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program for Cuban pre-university students. Methods: a descriptive study was carried out in Cuba, from April to August 2024, at the Faculty of Biology, University of Havana. Theoretical methods were applied: historical-logical, analysis-synthesis, and induction-deduction; empirical and mathematical methods were used for information processing; a review of data on enrollment in the program from 2019 to 2023, specialized bibliography, and a questionnaire survey of pre-university students from all Cuban provinces. The sample comprised 160 students. Results: 73% of the students surveyed considered vocational training intended for science to be average or poor. Approximately 80% stated they have very limited knowledge of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, which corroborates the current deficiencies in vocational training and career guidance in Cuba. Conclusions: the existing difficulties in vocational training and career guidance for science in Cuba were determined, focusing on Biochemistry. This indicates the need to improve educational programs and career guidance strategies to engage and motivate students in these areas of study.