Objectives The purpose of this study were to analyze the trend of college students' career preparation behavior research from 1997 to 2022 through keyword network analysis.
 Methods Among the papers published in RISS, papers related to career preparation behavior of college students were extracted and divided into the first half (1997-2015) and the second half (2016-2022) based on 2016. Keyword frequency analysis and network analysis were performed and visualized for each period.
 Results As a result of the network analysis, the keywords with high connection centrality and mediation centrality in the first half were โcareer decision self-efficacyโ, โself-efficacyโ, โcareer maturityโ, โcareer decision levelโ, โcareer barriersโ, โcareer identityโ, โemployment preparation behaviorโ and โself-leadershipโ. And in the second half year, โcareer decision self-efficacyโ, โmajor satisfactionโ, โcareer barrierโ, โsocial supportโ, โcareer decision levelโ, โnursing college studentโ, โjob preparation behaviorโ, โgritโ, and โmediating effectโ were. โCareer maturityโ, โself-efficacyโ, and โcareer decisionโ were keywords with high centrality in the first half year, but lowered in the second half, while โmajor satisfactionโ, โsocial supportโ, โnursing college studentโ, โgritโ, โpositive psychological capitalโ, โcareer adaptabilityโ, โcareer elasticityโ, and โresilienceโ were keywords with low centrality in the first half, but increased centrality in the second half.
 Conclusions The trend of research on career preparation behavior of college students showed differentiated characteristics by period. Studies on environmental variables and the ability to cope with job insecurity and uncertainty in work increased in the second half.