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Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 2025, 8(8); doi: 10.25236/AJHSS.2025.080815.

A Study on the Influencing Factors of Future Career Confusion

Author(s)

Xueqin Zeng, Li Liao

Corresponding Author:
Li Liao
Affiliation(s)

College of Physical Education, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, China

Abstract

With the popularization of higher education and the intensification of competition in the job market, university students are facing increasing employment pressure, and "future career confusion" has become a common psychological phenomenon. This study aims to explore the key factors affecting university students' future career confusion by constructing a theoretical model that includes self-concept, self-efficacy, employment information, social support, and educational and environmental factors. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 178 university students. After reliability and validity testing (Cronbach's α for Future Career Confusion = 0.913), a multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. The results revealed that: self-efficacy (β = .352, p = .000 < 0.01), ability to acquire employment information (β = .224, p = .001 < 0.01), and practical skills provided by school curricula (β = .191, p = .008 < 0.01) are the three most significant factors influencing future career confusion, showing a significant negative correlation with it. The influence of self-concept was marginally significant, while social support did not show a significant effect in this study. The research findings have certain theoretical and practical implications for understanding the employment mentality of university students, guiding universities in carrying out employment counseling, and helping students with their career planning.

Keywords

Future Career Confusion; Influencing Factors; Self-Efficacy; Employment Information; University Students; Quantitative Research

Cite This Paper

Xueqin Zeng, Li Liao. A Study on the Influencing Factors of Future Career Confusion. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2025), Vol. 8, Issue 8: 95-101. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2025.080815.

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