This study aimed to determine students’ career understanding on the career decision making self-efficacy of Junior High School students in Central Java Province. The study used qualitative method, comparative test for data analysis, and self-efficacy scale to collect the career decision making data of students who have and have not gained career understanding. In this way, Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy was used as a framework theory, while cluster random sampling was employed to collect the study sample (N = 311). The data collection was done through a direct survey using 25 questions regarding career decision making self-efficacy (CDSE-SF) and career understanding questionnaire. Based on the data analysis, the researchers found significant differences in CDSE-SF results of students who have gained career understanding and not, including (1) Understanding of various alternative jobs (t(311) = 4.911, p < .000), (2) Information on the world of work requirements (t(311) = 4.602, p <.000), (3) Information on job vacancies (t(311) = 4.111, p < .000), and (4) Understanding of job qualifications (t(311) = 3.460, p < .001). These findings recommend the students to improve their career decision making using career guidance and counseling strategies in form of various alternative services, such as career counselling services, group guidance, classroom service, and even support from other parties.

This study discusses psychology for students in Islamic boarding schools who have taken psychological tests and who have never taken a psychological test. The research method used is a comparison of research with data analysis of comparative test Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy Scale between students who have taken a psychological test and who have never received a psychological test at a boarding school. Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory uses work theory, while the sample in this study uses cluster random sampling with a total of students (N = 22). Data collection was carried out through a direct survey consisting of 25 question items about self efficacy. The results of the t-test different test analysis showed no significant difference between students who had received a psychological test and who had never taken a psychological test in junior high school students in a boarding school based school. With the results of IQ tests (t (22) = 1,076, p> 0.05), aptitude tests (t (22) = 1,731, p> 0.05) and, interest tests (t (22) = 1,137, p> 0 , 05). These results indicate that there is no significant difference between students who take psychological tests who take IQ, aptitude, and interest tests, and who have never taken a psychological test, one of the contributing factors is representing irregular beliefs or relationships with what is on almighty will in providing sustenance, as long as his servant wants to succeed.

Students who have high self-efficacy can design career plans and show persistent efforts. However, this efficacy is not always owned by every single student since there found many students having difficulties in making career decision. Thus, this study tried to examine the effectiveness of psychoeducational group with symbolic modelling and bibliotherapy techniques to improve the career decision making of Junior High School students. In carrying out the study, the researchers employed randomized pretest-posttest comparison group design by involving 42 students divided into three experimental groups. Students’ data were collected using career decision making self-efficacy scale. Based on Wilcoxon test results, the implementation of the psychoeducational groups with symbolic modelling technique, bibliotherapy, and the combination of both techniques were effective to improve students’ career decision making self-efficacy. In details, Kruskal wallis test showed that symbolic modelling and bibliotherapy techniques were more effective than their combination to improve the career decision making self-efficacy of SMP Negeri 6 Bogor students. According to these findings, counselors are recommended to apply symbolic modelling and bibliotherapy techniques separately to improve students’ career decision making self-efficacy