A Study on Antecedent Variables Affecting University Students Job Preparation Behavior Under the COVID-19 Situation

Abstract

Purpose: Even before COVID-19, students majoring in airline services had to face high competition every time to get a job as an airline cabin attendant. However, students are having more difficulty preparing for employment due to the external situation of COVID-19. Therefore, when university students strive to achieve long-term goals, it is important to study the preceding factors that can overcome these crises and achieve significant results in job preparation behavior despite the influence of external environments such as COVID-19. Method: The grit measurement tool used eight simple scale questions consisting of four passionate questions and four perseverance questions. Resilience is defined as positivity, sociability and control. The 15 questions from RQT(Resilience Quotient Test) measurement tool were applied. Job preparation behavior consists of preliminary job preparation behavior(6 questions) and full-fledged job preparation behavior(5 questions). Multiple regression analysis was conducted to verify the hypothesis. Results: The grit(passion) of university students majoring in airline service had a significant effect on all job preparation behaviors(preliminary job preparation behavior, full-fledge job preparation behavior). Grit(perseverance) had no significant effect on all job preparation behaviors. Students resilience(positivity) had a significant effect on both job preparation behaviors. However, resilience(control) had a significant effect only on full-scale job preparation behavior and resilience(sociability) had no significant effect on job preparation behavior. Student s grit(passion) had a significant effect on resilience (positivity, sociability, control). Students grit(perseverance) only had a significant effect on resilience(control). Students resilience(positivity) only had a significant effect on grit(passion). Student s resilience(control) had a significant effect on grit(passion, perseverance). Conclusion: The prolonged COVID-19 has hit the aviation industry at almost a disaster level. Therefore, more efforts from departments and university are required for students preparing for cabin crew employment in the long term. This study confirmed that the grit of students is a variable that precedes resilience and job preparation behavior. Therefore, in order for students to prepare well for employment, departments need emotional support in the educational environment and develop programs that can increase their grit while attending school. First of all, it is important for the department to allow students to participate in various major-related programs and maintain their passion, and to experience a sense of accomplishment through the process. This successful experience will be a driving force for students to keep their steady efforts. In this study, grit(perseverance) did not affect job preparation behavior but perseverance affect resilience(control) and control affect full-fledged job preparation behavior. Therefore, universities and departments should strive to develop curriculum and non-curricular programs that can increase student control. Also emotional support in the educational environment is important in order for students to develop the ability to work independently and have the belief that they can do well on their own. When these successful experiences are accumulated, students will have the strength to overcome difficulties by activating their positive psychological resources even when difficulties arise. As a result, these efforts of departments and schools have a positive effect on job preparation behavior.