Determinants of Career Indecision: With Special Reference to Management Undergraduates in Sri Lankan State Universities

Abstract

One of the foremost decisions that adolescents are confronted within the transitioning period from university to job environment is making a career decision. Young adults and adolescents could experience high levels of stress after they are expected to make their career decision referring to a desired career. The stressful period may be too overwhelming for them. As a result, it may have adverse implications on the quality of their career choice. The applicability of career indecision amongst university students is considered an inability to choose an occupation. Career indecision is linked to issues related to career development and problems in making career related decisions, self-efficacy , career counseling opportunities, family support which may have an impact on the student’s ability to make career choices. The current study aimed to examine the determinants of career indecision experienced by final year Management undergraduates in the Sri Lankan state universities. The study examined the differences in career indecision based on gender and, it examined the impact of self-efficacy, career-counseling opportunities, and family support on career indecision. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to undergraduates. The sample (n = 215) consisted of final year male and female Management undergraduates. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between career indecision and gender. In addition, the results revealed that there was a negative impact of self-efficacy and career counseling opportunities on career indecision. Further, the findings revealed that there was a significant positive impact of family support on career indecision.