The impact of university students' career management on employability: The mediating role of professional decision self-efficacy

This research investigates the relationships between employability, career decision-making self-efficacy and career management among university students in the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. The objective of this study is to comprehend how these elements interact and have an impact on one another regarding students' professional growth. A systematic questionnaire survey was conducted using validated measures created by experts to guarantee validity and reliability. Information was gathered from 631 university students in the Greater Bay Area. The study used a quantitative research approach to assess the correlations among the important variables—individual career management, employability and self-efficacy in making career decisions by statistically analyzing the data obtained. The data suggest that career management greatly improves students' employability. Furthermore, employability is greatly impacted by individual career management which also has a favourable effect on professional decision-making self-efficacy. Notably, employability and personal career management are mediated by self-efficacy in professional decision-making. Education departments, institutions and students should collaborate to emphasize the importance of individual career management. Providing tools and support can enhance students' employability and self-efficacy in making informed career choices.