Career Decision-making Process Research Articles

Development and Validation of the Career Counseling Outcome Questionnaire in Two Clinical Settings

This study reports the development and initial validation of the Career Counseling Outcome Questionnaire (CCOQ) in two individual career counseling settings using a college sample ( n = 1,140) and a community sample ( n = 161). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed five correlated factors in both samples: (a) knowledge of the career decision-making process (4 items), (b) knowledge of the self (3 items), (c) knowledge of career information (3 items), (d) anxiety towards career decision-making (3 items), and (e) career undecidedness (2 items). The CCOQ scale scores changed in the expected theoretical direction during the career counseling interventions and did not change when clients were not receiving counseling. Except for anxiety, all CCOQ subscales predicted satisfaction with the career decision twelve months after counseling. The CCOQ total score predicted satisfaction with the decision twelve months after counseling, over and beyond a widely used instrument assessing sources of career decision difficulties (i.e. the Career Decision Difficulties Questionnaire; CDDQ). Career counselors could use the CCOQ to monitor the effectiveness of their interventions in complement to diagnostic measures such as the CDDQ.

대학생의 객관적 사회경제적 지위, 경제적 어려움, 주관적 사회경제적 지위와 진로 결과기대의 관계 : 진로결정 학습경험과 진로결정 자기효능감의 매개효과 검증

This study, grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), aims to examine the roles of career decision-making learning experiences and career decision-making self-efficacy in mediating the relationships between both objective and subjective socioeconomic status, economic hardship, and career outcome expectations among university students. A sample of 255 students from various four-year universities across South Korea participated in this research. The results from structural equation modeling(SEM) indicate that the final model demonstrated a good fit to the data, explaining approximately 73% of the variance in career outcome expectations. The analysis of direct paths revealed significant effects for all hypothesized pathways. Furthermore, the study found that subjective socioeconomic status, career decision-making learning experiences, and career decision-making self-efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between objective socioeconomic status and career outcome expectations. Similarly, these variables also mediated the relationship between economic hardship and career outcome expectations. This research contributes to the literature by highlighting the importance of socioeconomic factors and career decision-making processes in shaping career expectations. Additionally, it underscores the relevance of subjective socioeconomic status and career-related learning experiences in career counseling interventions. The study concludes with recommendations for future research, suggesting the need for a more diverse sample and the inclusion of longitudinal studies to further explore these relationships.

The Impact of Self-Efficacy on Career Choices of Generation Z: The Mediating Role of Decision-Making Difficulties in DKI Jakarta

The Generation Z population is the largest demographic group in Indonesia currently entering the workforce. However, data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) indicates that youth unemployment remains a critical issue in the employment sector. The increasing open unemployment rate among Generation Z can be attributed to an imbalance between labor demand and supply, as well as career decision-making processes during school or university periods. This study aims to analyze the factors influencing OUR among Generation Z, specifically through the career decision-making process before entering the workforce. Furthermore, this research examines the influence of Self-Efficacy in Career Decision-Making on Career Decisions through the mediating variable of Career Decision-Making Difficulties. The methodology employed is a survey, with data collected via questionnaires distributed to 104 respondents who meet the study criteria. The instruments used include the Career Decision Scale (CDS), the short-form Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy (CDMSE-SF), and the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ). The findings reveal an indirect influence of Self-Efficacy in Career Decision-Making on Career Decisions, mediated by Career Decision-Making Difficulties among Generation Z individuals entering the workforce in DKI Jakarta.

Showing authentic examples of academic and career trajectories to influence college students' career exploration

College students increasingly use digital information resources to help them make academic and career decisions, but the effects of digital information tools on students' career exploration outcomes are not well understood. We investigate the impact of an online tool that shows the full sequence of course enrollments and the first career destination of recent graduates with matched interests. We conducted a randomized controlled experiment with 234 undergraduate students at a U.S. university to examine the tool's impact on students' career exploration outcomes, specifically their self-efficacy in academic planning for career exploration and behavioral intentions for career exploration. We did not find clear evidence that the tool increased students' self-efficacy and behavioral intentions. However, our exploratory analysis shows that the tool benefited students who were at a later stage in their career decision-making process. We also found that students' awareness of official information sources from archival student records and awareness of holistic information that combines academic and career decisions are important predictors of self-efficacy and behavioral intentions. This study presents a nuanced view of the potential of digital tools to enhance career exploration outcomes through information support. It has important implications for institutional administrators to integrate existing digital resources with traditional career services, creating a more comprehensive support system for students.

How Do Simulations Affect Career Decision Making? The Case of “Model Turkish Diplomacy”

Simulations are now long-established pedagogical tools in IR programs. Concomitant with this development, scholarly attention has been devoted to the impact of IR simulations on students. Recent research has found evidence to suggest that there is an association between IR simulations and students’ aspirations toward political and diplomatic careers. However, despite abundant research, we still have little knowledge about how IR simulations impact students’ perceptions of the diplomacy profession in general and the role of universities in this profession specifically. This study aims to fill these gaps by analyzing whether and how students’ opinions on the diplomacy profession and the role of universities in building diplomatic skills change after participating in “Model Turkish Diplomacy” simulations. It particularly focuses on how simulation experiences impact career decision-making processes among IR students. This study used a quasi-experimental design. Via convenience sampling, data was collected through pre- and post-simulation (online) survey questionnaires submitted to undergraduate IR students at Yildiz Technical University who enrolled in the courses “The Middle East Society and Politics” and “Diplomatic Correspondence” and volunteered to participate in simulations in the fall semester of 2023–2024.

The influence of individual factors on the career preferences and specialty choices of final-year nursing students

BackgroundStatistical evidence shows that nursing students prefer a professional career in hospital settings, leading to a lack of career interest in non-hospital settings such as community and residential aged care facilities. The lack of preference for non-hospital settings has persisted over several decades and presents a need for different approaches that may reveal new information to better understand the individual factors that influence specialty choices and preferences from the students' viewpoints. PurposeThe aims of this study were to (1) explore individual factors that impact the nursing specialty choices of final-year nursing students and (2) explore how these factors influence the final-year nursing students' career decision-making process. MethodA narrative inquiry approach using semi-structured interviews was carried out with purposively sampled nursing students (n = 12) who had undertaken a final-year clinical placement(s). Data was analysed using two main steps. First, the interviews were restoried and then analysed using the three-dimensional framework. Subsequently, thematic analysis was applied to generate themes. ResultsData analysis generated three main themes: demographic factors, social factors, and career goals. Participants' characteristics and interactions with other individuals and systems influenced their nursing specialty preferences and professional career plans. ConclusionNursing students' career interests are influenced by individual factors external to their nursing education, such as their age, gender, and life experiences. These student characteristics and experiences facilitated or inhibited a career in some nursing specialties, with the students gauging their ability to practice in a specialty during their CPs. Nursing education should expose and inform students about the core skills, career opportunities, and how to advance their careers in the different nursing specialties. Most importantly, final-year students may need formal career guidance to encourage nursing students' positive attitudes and career interests in different nursing specialties and make realistic career decisions.

The relationship between living in regional, remote and rural areas and post-school outcomes: A scoping review

This article provides a review of existing research on youth transitions within regional, remote and rural communities. Results were organised according to the Systems Theory Framework of Career Development, highlighting the importance of geographical location as an environmental influence within the career decision-making process. By deploying a scoping review methodology it was determined that educational institutions, the employment market, socioeconomic status and families are the most significant influences on the career decision-making processes for young people in regional, remote and rural communities. Future research in this area would involve an examination of these four areas.

Careers after COVID: examining the influence of vocational anticipatory socialization on post-pandemic career values and choices of emerging adults in the United States

ABSTRACT The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on society includes the careers and career decision-making of emerging adults. This impact could influence how emerging adults approach careers and work-life balance. Vocational anticipatory socialisation examines how sources of career information influence the career decision-making process. With the COVID-19 lockdown access to career sources was limited. The current study examines ways in which the career values of this post COVID-19 workforce in the United States have been impacted. An online survey was completed by 349 young/emerging adults. An examination of gender differences found the women to place work–life balance in higher regard than men post-COVID-19. However, male respondents now report interest in examining careers as first responders. Further, this generation reports a lack in socialisation information from the vocational anticipatory socialisation sources of part-time jobs, schools and peers which were unavailable during the pandemic.

Profiles of Career Indecision: A Person-Centered Approach with Italian Late Adolescents

Choosing career paths in today’s contemporary labor market complexity is becoming more and more challenging for adolescents and young people. Career indecision could take over, and assessing its facets could guide career interventions to support the career decision-making process. To create increasingly tailored career guidance interventions, using a person-centered approach, this study aimed to understand whether profiles of late adolescents based on their career decision-making difficulties might be circumscribed. A total of 776 Italian late adolescents took part in this study. The assessment of career decision-making difficulties was conducted through the Career Decision-Making Questionnaire (CDDQ). To determine the optimal number of profiles, a Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) using the stepwise approach was used. Moreover, a multinomial logistic regression was conducted to study whether school grade and sex predicted profile membership. LPA revealed a four-profile model: “Lower Indecision” (Profile 1, 39%), “High Indecision” (Profile 2, 23%), “Very High Indecision” (Profile 3, 7%) and “Moderate Indecision” (Profile 4, 31%). Being enrolled in the last year of high school significantly predicted belonging to Profile 2 and Profile 3. Practical implications were discussed in light of these findings.

Social Identities and Cognitive Information Processing Theory: A Qualitative Analysis

Social identities impact the way individuals see themselves and their career options but career theories have been slow to the call in exploring how social identities interface with theoretical assumptions. The purpose of this study was to examine how social identities affect and inform specific dimensions identified by cognitive information processing (CIP) theory as being essential for effective career decision-making, that is, self-knowledge, options knowledge, decision-making process and skills, career beliefs, and overall career decision. Seventy-six students across ten sections of an undergraduate CIP-based career development course answered questions on an anonymous survey related to how their social identities impacted aspects of their career decision-making. Frequencies for social identities were calculated for each CIP dimension, and 11 categories identified for open-ended responses using the consensual qualitative research-modified approach accompanied pre-determined domains based on CIP theory. Across each component, the most common SI was age and generational differences. While students expressed the influence of social identities as occurring in each CIP dimension, statements related to the self-concept category occurred most often and were present in each domain. Our findings support previous work that the presence and impact of SIs on career decision-making components is undeniable, but also not universal. CIP theory provides a structure and avenues for discussing the role of social identities in career decision-making.

A qualitative study of career decision making among African and Asian international medical students in China: process, challenges, and strategies.

China hosts around 68,000 international medical students (IMSs) primarily from lower income countries in Africa and Asia, who have the potential to contribute to international medical services. Understanding how these IMSs make career decisions can help better address the issue of global medical workforce shortage. However, such research is limited. Our study aims to explore the career decision-making process of China-educated IMSs, the challenges they experienced and the strategies they employed.In this exploratory qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with IMSs educated in China in 2022 using purposeful sampling. Twenty virtual one-on-one interviews were conducted, and data were analysed through directed qualitative content analysis. Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) theory was applied as the guiding framework for organising and analysing the data.The career decision-making process of the participants generally followed the stages of decision-making cycle in CIP theory, with a combination of urgent migration decisions and specialisation considerations adding layers of complexity to their career trajectories. Identified challenges encompassed lack of knowledge about oneself and career options, lack of decision-making skills, concerns of contextual complexities that limited the career decision-making process, low motivation and negative thoughts. Specific challenges due to their role as IMSs arose, which were related to career information access, self-capability evaluation, degree accreditation, employment competitiveness and mental states. Participants' proposed strategies were categorised into personal and institutional aspects, providing insights into addressing these challenges.This study substantiates and expands the application of the CIP theory within the sphere of the particular cultural and educational context of IMSs educated in China. It highlights the significance of integrating migration decision-making into career guidance for IMSs, and contributes to the literature by proposing an evidence-based tiered career intervention programme for IMSs.

Pre-service teachers' altruistic motivation for choosing teaching as a career: where does it come from?

This study aims to examine the factors influencing pre-service teachers' altruistic motivation for selecting their profession within a Chinese educational setting. Drawing on existing research, a three-element (social-cognitive, emotional, and realistic) model is integrated to explore how pre-service teachers' altruistic motivations are formed and evolved. Utilizing this model, interview data from 18 students enrolled in the Chinese Free Teacher Education program were collected and analyzed by thematic analysis. The findings indicate that social-cognitive factors impact altruistic motivation through engagement with social issues and reflections on practical educational challenges. The emotional factor is manifested through the participants' positive and negative emotions. The realistic factor comprises familial influences and personal career preferences, which play a role in the decision to pursue teaching as a lifelong vocation. This study proposes a structured and functional model that can serve as a foundation for future research into the development of altruistic motivation. It also offers insights into nurturing altruistic motivation among both pre-service and practicing teachers in their career decision-making process.

From University Students and Graduates to Male Sex Workers: The Career Decisions and Decision-Making Processes

There is limited information concerning the experiences and career decision-making processes of male sex workers in South Korea. The aim of this study was to understand the motivations, career decisions, and decision-making processes of a group of male university students and graduates who decided to join the sex work profession in South Korea as part of their career development. Qualitative research design and snowball strategies were employed in 2021 with nine male sex workers. Interview sessions, online focus group activity, remarkable items sharing, and member-checking interview sessions were undertaken to collect rich stories and promote understanding of male sex workers who are completing or have completed their bachelor’s degrees in South Korea. Based on the social cognitive career and motivation theory, three main themes were highlighted: (1) financial consideration, (2) personal interest in sexual activities, and (3) limited career opportunities for the younger generation. The findings illustrate the motivations of a group of educated male sex workers and the social issues for sex workers in South Korea. Government bodies, policymakers, and non-profit organizations may use this study as a reference for policy development and human resources schemes.

Role of Social Support in the Relationship Between Career Self-Efficacy and Psychological Distress Among Young People During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Throughout the COVID 19 pandemic, young people have experienced numerous changes in their routine. This has affected their health and well-being in all dimensions as well as academic life, including their career planning and decision-making process. We explored the role of social support in the relationship between career self-efficacy and psychological distress in young people. High school students ( N = 451) from different regions of Kosovo completed a series of validated measures online. The results showed the impact of the pandemic on career planning and decision-making processes and the negative correlation of career self-efficacy with psychological stress. Furthermore, the mediating roles of family, school, and peer support were observed. These findings provide valuable data for mental health and career professionals toward career guidance and counseling. Further theoretical and practical implications and future research directions have been discussed.

Advancing Educational Insights: Explainable AI Models for Informed Decision-Making

Abstract: Over the past two decades, the integration of machine learning (ML) techniques within educational frameworks has garnered significant attention. However, despite its widespread adoption, there remains a dearth of research focusing on developing AI systems with a core emphasis on interpretability and explainability. This paper seeks to bridge this gap by proposing an advanced framework that not only predicts students' performance accurately but also offers reliable and interpretable results tailored for career counseling. The framework merges the concepts of ML and Explainable AI (XAI) to address the complexities of career counseling in educational settings. Drawing inspiration from educational data mining, the framework aims to provide insights conducive to students' career growth and decision-making processes. By incorporating MLbased White and Black Box models, the approach analyzes a comprehensive educational dataset comprising academic and employability attributes crucial for job placements and skill development. To enhance interpretability, the framework leverages the NGBoost algorithm, known for its efficiency in prediction modeling. Additionally, it integrates Local Interpretable Modelagnostic Explanations (LIME) and Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) methods for providing both local and global explanations of model predictions, ensuring transparency and comprehensibility. Through a series of use cases, the paper showcases the applicability and effectiveness of the framework in providing actionable insights to educators and students alike. In conclusion, this research contributes to the advancement of career counseling in educational contexts by offering a robust and interpretable ML-based framework. By providing transparent insights into students' academic performance and career prospects, the approach facilitates informed decision-making and supports personalized guidance for optimal career trajectories.

The Relationship Between Social Stigma and Career Decisions of Individualized and Freelance Male Sex Workers

Switching from a white-collar professional to a sex worker is not an easy step, particularly for individuals with a postgraduate degree in South Korea who may have significant expectations from their parents, peers, and communities. Based on the social stigma theory and social cognitive career and motivation theory, this study aims to understand how stress and pressure impact the motivations, career decisions, and decision-making processes of individualized and freelance male sex workers and their career transition experiences in South Korea. Based on the thematic analysis, ten highly educated male sex workers joined and shared their experiences. The researchers categorized three main finding themes, including (a) not liking the office and white-collar positions, (b) not wanting to hide sexuality as gay and bisexual men, and (c) financial considerations play a significant role in experiences and career decision-making processes. This study examined the social stigma, challenges, and career decision-making processes of male sex workers who previously held white-collar positions in South Korea but switched to sex work after a few years of service. Based on the outcomes of this study based upon the voices from the male sex workers, government leaders and non-profit organizational workers should use this study as a reference to establish support and plans to help sex workers due to their situations and social challenges.

Associations of Career Decision-Making Strategies With Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Difficulties Among French-Speaking Swiss Adolescents and Young Adults

Individuals differ in the strategies, self-efficacy beliefs, and difficulties that characterize their career decision-making process. Although some strategies are deemed adaptive, the differential links of career decision-making strategies to self-efficacy and difficulties, in general and in various cultural contexts, remain unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the associations of 12 career decision-making strategies with self-efficacy and difficulties among 414 adolescents and young adults in the cultural context of the French-speaking part of Switzerland. In doing so, we also sought to develop a French version of the Career Decision-Making Profiles questionnaire (CDMP-F) for assessing career decision-making strategies. Results confirmed the fit of the hypothesized 12-factor model underlying the CDMP-F and the adaptability assumption for six of 12 strategies: information gathering, locus of control, procrastination, speed of making the final decision, dependence on others, and desire to please others. Moreover, differentiated associations were uncovered: high procrastination and external locus of control were linked to lack of motivation; slow speed of making the final decision was linked to general indecisiveness; and high desire to please others was linked to external conflicts. Supporting the structural and construct validity of the CDMP-F and identifying differential associations, implications for research and practice are discussed.

Developmental Assets and Career Development in the Educational System: Integrating Awareness of Self-Identity, Knowledge of the World of Work and the SDGs in School Programs.

Individuals are embedded within systems that possess contextual or ecological developmental assets. Psychosocial assets refer to beliefs that enable positive responses to challenging situations and growth despite adversity, such as hope and a future orientation towards positive attitudes and expectations, as well as persistence and the ability to thrive. Career-related assets refer to career-related resources that characterize career decision-making processes and the world of work, such as the ability to negotiate transitions successfully as well as to tolerate and cope with uncertainty by increasing one's flexibility and autonomy. This study investigated the effectiveness of two sets of psychoeducational activities in promoting positive attitudes and resources, developmental assets that are useful to strengthen students' personal resources and shaping their future. This study also highlighted sensitivity to change in personal and career-related developmental assets. Using a mixed design approach, 108 students with an average age of 13.91 years were asked to participate in two psychoeducational activities. The first activity focused on developing a positive future self-identity and the second activity on career exploration and knowledge about the world of work. The results show that each of these two activities support the development of psychological assets as well as of a perspective that addresses complex dynamics and that may reduce inequalities.

랜덤포레스트를 활용한 일반계 고등학생의 진로결정 예측 요인 분석

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the predictive factors influencing the career decision-making
 of first-year students in general high schools in South Korea, and to propose educational approaches
 and support measures based on this analysis.
 Methods: Using data from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) 2018, we applied
 the Random Forest algorithm to analyze predictive factors in students' career decision-making. During
 this process, seventy-six variables were included to identify key predictors.
 Results: The analysis revealed that factors such as career confidence, career curiosity, frequency of
 youth activities, study time, and club activity frequency are significant predictors of students' career
 decisions. These factors have a complex impact on the career decision-making process, closely related
 to the students' social and academic environments.
 Conclusion: This research emphasizes the importance of educational interventions that enhance
 students' confidence and curiosity in the career decision-making process. It also suggests the need
 for a multidisciplinary approach to encourage and support students' participation in various activities.

중년기에 진로전환을 한 여성 심리상담사의 진로결정 경험에 관한 내러티브 탐구

Objectives This study attempted to explore and understand the meaning of the experience and the characteristics that made happenstance events an opportunities for middle-aged women to make career decisions as psycho-logical counselors.
 Methods This study selected two middle-aged female psychological counselors who responded that they made career decisions based on happenstance events and attempted to interpret, analyze, and understand the experi-ences of the study participants through the narrative inquiry of Clandinin and Connelly(2000). Narrative inquiry is a qualitative research method that explores the stories of individual humans' lived experiences for human under-standing(Hong Young-sook, 2015).
 Results Participants in the study experienced happenstance events, recalled dreams that they had not achieved on the journey of their lives, and experienced new challenges. Looking at the meaning of the experience of living an happenstance event through career decision, Lee Eun-joo was a ‘process of self-realization’ and Kim Hyun-joo was a ‘process of overcoming inferiority.’ As a characteristic that led happenstance events to career decisions, Lee Eun-joo stood out for her ‘will to stand under my name’ and ‘husband's support,’ while Kim Hyun-joo had ‘yearning for professional jobs’ and ‘passion for learning.’ In addition, all of the study participants received ‘family support’ and had ‘reflective awareness of middle age,’ which supported the middle-aged study participants in the process of making career decisions based on happenstance events.
 Conclusions This study is meaningful in that it was possible to comprehensively understand how happenstance events lived through career decisions in the context of individual lives, along with the situation of middle age, re-garding the career decision process of two female psychological counselors who changed their careers in middle age. It is hoped that the results of this study will expand to understanding the career change of female psycho-logical counselors and middle-aged women who have changed their careers in middle age, contributing to the process of dealing with happenstance factors in counselor education and middle-aged career counseling.