Predictors of Career Adaptability Skill among Higher Education Students in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined predictors of career adaptability skill among higher education students in Nigeria. A sample of 603 higher education students randomly selected from six colleges of education in Nigeria participated in this study. A set of self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Results indicated that 33.3% of career adaptability skill was explained by the model. Four out of the five predictor variables significantly predicted career adaptability skill among higher education students in Nigeria. Among the four predictors, career self-efficacy sources was the most statistically significant predictor of career adaptability skill among higher education students in Nigeria, followed by personal goal orientation, career future concern, and perceived social support respectively. Vocational identity did not statistically predict career adaptability skill among higher education students in Nigeria. The study suggested that similar study should be replicated in other parts of the world in view of the importance of career adaptability skill to the smooth transition of graduates from school to the labor market. The study concluded by requesting stakeholders of higher institutions in Nigeria to provide career exploration database for the students, and encourage career intervention program in order to enhance career adaptability skill among the students.

Investigating the Linkage Between Proactive Personality and Social Support on Career Adaptability Amidst Undergraduate Students

“…This shows that students with high level of career adaptability can gain a smooth transition from school to work without much resistance or delay. Skills in career adaptability enable unceasingly creation of avenues for constant adjustments in the bid to efficiently react to shifting work situations (Ebenehi et al, 2016).…”

“…Likewise, career adaptability has been researched to be positively related with proactive personality (Cai et al, 2015;Guan et al, 2017Guan et al, , 2015 and Social support (Creed, Fallon, & Hood, 2009;Ebenehi et al, 2016; Ute-Christine Klehe, Jelena Zikic, Annelies E. M. van Vianen, 2015).…”

“…The importance of social support and relations in adolescent career development has been highlighted by previous researches (Kracke, 2002;Rogers et al, 2008, Hirschi, 2009. During the youths` phase of making critical life decisions, such as their vocation future, perceived social support has proven to be an essential resource in helping them make a good decision (Ebenehi et al, 2016). This is supported by (Kracke, 2002;Seibert, Kraimer, & Liden, 2001) that stressed that social support is a possible tool for detailed career information and counsel and serves as a vital resource for students trying to manage the demands of change (Cutrona, 1996).…”

“…Work structures and environments are experiencing dynamic changes. Subsequently, the continual introduction of new skills and knowledge demands have shed to light the necessity for new and dynamic career resources needed to cope with them effectively (Ebenehi, Rashid, & Bakar, 2016). This nature of the dynamic career structure is in response to the globalization of labour markets and economies, and the competition thereof.…”

“…Researches showed that Career adaptability is positively related with some individual characteristics factors such as social support (Ebenehi et al, 2016) and proactive personality (Tolentino et al, 2014). In this research, the objective is to identify the linkage between proactive personality and social support with career adaptability amidst final year undergraduate students at a public university in the northern part of Malaysia.…”