Career Preparation Activities in First-Year Middle School Students: Relative Effects of Personal Internal Factors and Career Barriers Based on Social Cognitive Career Theory

Key Points

• This research aims to identify the contributing factors influencing career preparation experiences of first-year middle school students based on social cognitive career theory.
• Analyzed data from 517 first-year middle school students using KCYPS 2018.
• Utilized hierarchical regression analysis after controlling for life and school satisfaction variables.
• Examined personal internal factors and career barriers as predictors of career preparation activities.
• Academic engagement positively predicts career preparation activities (β=0.25, p<0.05).
• Lack of career adaptability negatively predicts career preparation activities (β=-0.30, p<0.05).
• Controlled variables showed significance only in the initial model, with effects diminishing in later models.

Abstract