Latent Profile Analysis of Protean and Traditional Career Orientations and Career Competencies: Focused on the Cyber University Students in South Korea

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying latent profiles based on career orientations and career competencies and examining differences in subjective career success(employability), objective career success(salary, hierarchical position), and affective organizational commitment. Cross-sectional data were collected from 356 working adults enrolled at one Korean cyber university, and latent profile analysis was conducted. First, participants were classified into four latent profiles: ‘traditional and competent(7.6%)’, ‘mixed/averaged(82.8%)’, ‘protean and competent(4.2%)’, and ‘traditional and incompetent(5.4%)’. Our findings highlight that a mixed and averaged orientation is dominant among Korean adults who work and study. Second, one-way ANOVA was conducted to test the differences in career outcomes according to the generated profiles. The ‘Traditional and competent’ type perceived greater employability than the ‘traditional and incompetent’ group, and the ‘traditional and competent’ group exhibited stronger affective organizational commitment than the ‘protean and competent’ profile. Based on the findings, the importance of developing career competencies was discussed regarding continuing education for working adults.