Empowering Employability
Enhancing Career Search Self-Efficacy Through a Required Professional Development Course
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18060/28298Keywords:
career self-efficacy, career exploration, professional development, career readiness, career search self efficacy scale (CSES), experiential learning, higher educationAbstract
Career search self-efficacy (CSSE) is pivotal for undergraduate business students’ career readiness and employment prospects. This article examines the impact of a required career development course at a business school in the eastern U.S., highlighting CSSE improvements among a diverse student cohort in a resource-limited setting. Using the Career Search Efficacy Scale (CSES), the study measures skills in networking, job-searching, personal exploration, and interviewing. Findings from over 800 students across three years demonstrate enhanced CSSE, affirming the course's success. The article offers a scalable strategy for ensuring equitable access to career development, fostering competencies that lead to positive career outcomes for diverse students.
