Perceived Control and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy as Predictors of Career Optimism among University Students

Abstract

A career is a field linked to optimism, a significant concept today. Considering the role of career optimism in career development, it is essential to be aware of the factors that may influence the level of optimism crucial to career development. In this direction, the aim of the study is to examine the role of perceived control and career decision-making self-efficacy, which can be seen as antecedents and examined for their role in predicting career optimism. Additionally, the study investigated whether the Kahramanmaraş-based earthquake, which occurred in Türkiye on February 6, 2023, differentiated the level of career optimism among university students. The sample for the study consisted of 457 undergraduate students studying in Türkiye. The study utilized a relational model, using the Sense of Control Scale, Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (CDSES-SF), Career Optimism Scale for University Students, and a personal information form as data collection tools. The data were collected between November 2023 and February 2024. Data analysis involved an independent sample t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and regression analysis. The findings of the research showed that experiencing the earthquake did not differentiate the level of career optimism, that significant relationships existed between all variables, and that perceived control and career decision-making self-efficacy together accounted for 55% of the total variance in career optimism. The results were discussed in the context of the relevant literature, and recommendations were provided for researchers.

Keywords

• Career optimism
• Perceived control
• Career decision-making self-efficacy
• Earthquake
• University students

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Kariyer İyimserliğinin Yordayıcıları Olarak Algılanan Kontrol ve Kariyer Kararı Verme Öz-Yeterliliği

Öz

Kariyer, günümüzde önemli bir kavram olan iyimserlikle bağlantılı bir alandır. Kariyer iyimserliğinin kariyer gelişimindeki rolü göz önüne alındığında, iyimserlik düzeyini etkileyebilecek değişkenlerin farkında olmak kariyer gelişimi için kritik öneme sahiptir. Bu doğrultuda çalışmanın amacı, kariyer iyimserliğinin öncülleri olarak kabul edilebilen kontrol algısı ve kariyer kararı verme öz yeterliliğinin kariyer iyimserliğini yordamadaki rolünü incelemektir. Ayrıca, 6 Şubat 2023 günü Türkiye’de meydana gelen Kahramanmaraş merkezli depremin üniversite öğrencilerinin kariyer iyimserliği düzeyini farklılaştırıp farklılaştırmadığı da araştırılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini Türkiye’de öğrenim gören 457 lisans öğrencisi oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmada ilişkisel model kullanılmış olup bu araştırmada veri toplama araçları olarak Kontrol Duygusu Ölçeği, Kariyer Kararı Öz Yeterliliği Ölçeği- Kısa Formu (CDSES-SF), Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Kariyer İyimserliği Ölçeği ve kişisel bilgi formu kullanılmıştır. Veriler Kasım 2023 ile Şubat 2024 tarihleri ​​arasında toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizi bağımsız örneklem t-testi, Pearson korelasyon analizi ve regresyon analizini içermektedir. Araştırma bulguları depremi deneyimleme durumunun kariyer iyimserliği düzeyini farklılaştırmadığını, tüm değişkenler arasında anlamlı ilişkiler olduğunu ve kontrol algısı ve kariyer kararı verme öz yeterliliğinin birlikte kariyer iyimserliğindeki toplam varyansın %55’ini açıkladığını göstermiştir. Çalışmanın bulguları mevcut alanyazın bağlamında tartışılmış ve gelecekteki araştırmalar için öneriler sunulmuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Kariyer iyimserliği
• Kontrol algısı
• Kariyer Kararı Verme Öz Yeterliliği
• Deprem
• Üniversite Öğrencileri

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