Factors Affecting Career Planning of Bachelor of Arts Undergraduates in Sri Lanka

Abstract

In a dynamic labor market where the skills and job requirements demanded constantly changes affects the graduates of undergraduates, especially those following in the arts stream, career planning is important. In order to understand the career planning process to fill the gap between demand and supply of employment, the study aimed to identify the factors influencing career planning and to build a career planning model. The study considered a sample of 136 respondents following the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) program at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. A path analysis was conducted along with a Spearman’s rho to test the hypothesized model developed using three career development theories, namely, Gottfredson’s Circumscription and Compromise, Social Cognitive Career Theory, and Self-Determination Theory, to a four-stage career planning model. The study identified that there are influential factors that directly influence in the career planning process while factors such as prior achievement indirectly influence in the career planning process