Assess the role of career exploration in expanding social cognitive career theory
Quoc Bao Lam
Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Vietnam
1954082006bao@ou.edu.vn
Minh Pham
Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Vietnam
minh.p@ou.edu.vn
Abstract
The issue of career choice plays an important role in students’ future. Researchers have conducted many studies to explain the career choice process. However, choosing the right career is still very difficult. This article examines the role of career exploration and determines how it works throughout social cognitive career theory. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed on Google Forms in June 2022. In addition, 340 Vietnamese students participated in this study. The research hypotheses were tested through SmartPLS 3. The results have once again confirmed the role of social cognitive career theory in explaining the career selection process. Another interesting finding was that environment exploration had a more substantial effect on the relationship between self-efficacy and career choice than self-exploration. Finally, the article further clarified the role of career exploration and helped universities devise tailored study programs to make the career choice process more efficient.
Keywords: Career choice; self-efficacy; outcome expectation; career exploration