Role of Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Risk of Career Options on Career Decision-Making of Chinese Graduates

This study investigated the influence of Chinese graduates' career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) and the moderating effect of career options on career decisions. Graduates (92 men, 119 women, 5 unreported gender; M age = 22.3 yr., SD = 1.2) from four different types of universities in Zhejiang Province participated in the study. CDMSE was measured with the CDMSE Scale for University Students, and participants rated their choices on 3 career options with different levels of risk. The results showed that participants were more likely to choose a high-risk option, and that career options moderated the relation between graduates' CDMSE and career decision. Graduate career counseling programs should encourage students to develop more reasonable career goals that match their skills.