Choosing the right career paths relevant to their future is probably one of the most challenging decisions confronting the majority of adolescents. Hence, recognition of the factors affecting students’ career decisions is more important than ever. This study aimed to investigate the effects of academic performance and academic self-concept in relation to career decision-making among UPM undergraduate students. A quantitative research design using a questionnaire was utilised. The questionnaire, one touching on academic self-concept and the other on career decision-making, was disseminated to the respondents via emails and through social network services in the form of Google Forms. For data on academic performance, the researcher based it on the students’ current Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) results. The Multi-stage cluster sampling method was employed to a total of 171 final-year undergraduates from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The data were analysed using SmartPLS 3. The result of partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) revealed that the students’ academic self-concept directly and significantly affects their career decision-making. However, there is no direct relationship between academic performance and career decision-making. This study found that developing students’ academic self-concept can assist them to decide on their career paths.   Keywords: Academic achievement, Academic self-concept, Career choice, Higher education

Career decision making is a huge challenge for undergraduate students. Indeed, the challenges they encounter when making a career choice during the transition periods are common problems for university students. Hence, this quantitative study used a correlational research design to investigate the relationship between academic achievement and self-concept with career decision making among final year students in Universiti Putra Malaysia. A total of 171 final year students participated in the study. The academic achievement of the students was measured using the current CGPA. The Academic Self-Concept Scale (ASC) developed by Liu and Wang (2005) and Career Decision Scale (CDS) (Osipow et al., 1976) were administered to the sample to assess their self-concept and career decision, respectively. The study results show that there is no significant relationship between academic achievement and career decision making. Simultaneously, there is a significant relationship between academic self-concept toward career choice among undergraduate students. These findings add to our knowledge in helping students to make better decisions about their future careers by enhancing their academic self-concept.