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From School to Work: Improving Graduates’ Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy

Author

Listed:
  • Lu Xin

    (The College of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Fangcheng Tang

    (The College of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Mengyi Li

    (School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Wenxia Zhou

    (School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

Abstract

As boundaryless careers become mainstream, individuals need to enhance career decision-making self-efficacy (CDSE) during career transitions to secure better employment outcomes and sustainable career development, especially when moving from a school to a work environment. Drawing on social cognitive career theory, this study empirically proposed a moderated mediation model to examine whether proactive personality (measured at Time 1), career success criteria clarity (CSCC, measured at Time 2), and family socioeconomic status (including family income, parents’ educational level, and parents’ occupational level; measured at Time 1) would contribute to CDSE (measured at Time 2). Results based on a two-wave survey of 235 college students showed that: (1) proactive personality positively predicted CDSE; (2) CSCC positively predicted CDSE; (3) CSCC partly mediated the relation between proactive personality and CDSE; (4) the positive effect of CSCC on CDSE was stronger among students with a lower family socioeconomic status. Individuals with strong proactive personalities were more likely to develop salience in career success criteria and in turn became more confident in making career decisions. Therefore, vocational educators in higher education could help to improve students’ CDSE by promoting training programs for proactive thinking, providing successful role models, and encouraging family involvement, especially for students with a lower family socioeconomic status.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Xin & Fangcheng Tang & Mengyi Li & Wenxia Zhou, 2020. "From School to Work: Improving Graduates’ Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:804-:d:311801
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuwen Peng & Chao Mao, 2015. "The Impact of Person–Job Fit on Job Satisfaction: The Mediator Role of Self Efficacy," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 121(3), pages 805-813, April.
    2. Nikos Bozionelos & Cai-Hui (veronica) Lin & Kin Yi Lee, 2020. "Enhancing the sustainability of employees' careers through training : The roles of career actors' openness and of supervisor support," Post-Print hal-02312413, HAL.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Halah Abdalnour & Laila Abdulkhaliq & Atef M. Ghaleb & Mokhtar Ali Amrani & Fahd Alduais, 2023. "Challenges to Female Engineers’ Employment in the Conservative and Unstable Society of Taiz State, Yemen: A Survey Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-23, October.
    3. Chung-Jen Wang & Hsin-Yun Hsieh, 2022. "Effect of Deep Learning Approach on Career Self-Efficacy: Using Off-Campus Internships of Hospitality College Students as an Example," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Shi Chen & Yan Xue & Huaruo Chen & Hairong Ling & Jiajing Wu & Xueying Gu, 2021. "Making a Commitment to Your Future: Investigating the Effect of Career Exploration and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy on the Relationship between Career Concern and Career Commitment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    5. Shehu Rabiah Na-Allah & Noor Hazlina Ahmad, 2022. "Entrepreneurial Orientation and Venture Creation in Nigerian Context: Assessing Mediating and Moderating Roles of Self-Efficacy and Entrepreneurial Support among Graduates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-25, April.
    6. Philip Hallinger & Sujitra Jayaseelan & Mark W. Speece, 2024. "The Evolution of Educating for Sustainable Development in East Asia: A Bibliometric Review, 1991–2023," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-23, October.
    7. Shi Chen & Huaruo Chen & Hairong Ling & Xueying Gu, 2021. "How Do Students Become Good Workers? Investigating the Impact of Gender and School on the Relationship between Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Career Exploration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-14, July.

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