How Career Development Programs Shape Career Decision-Making among University Students: A Systematic Review of Process Mechanisms

Career development programs are utilized in higher education to help university students explore and make career decisions. Evidence of how program experiences relate to career decisions has been reported in a number of studies concerning changes in self-efficacy, readiness, and other outcomes, but this evidence is quite spread out. This systematic review was conducted by synthesizing studies found in Web of Science, ERIC, Scopus, and ProQuest from 2017–2026 and documented using PRISMA 2020. A total of 15 studies were included. In different categories of programs, the synthesis revealed five recurring processes: self-understanding and reflection, career exposure and reality testing, career-related self-efficacy, relational support and career knowledge and decision processing. Results indicate that career decisions evolve as students engage in learning experiences, experiment with career options, and seek out support and information. In regard to university career development practice, the review suggests that connecting reflection, occupational experience and guided decision making is more important than provision of information.