Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Barriers in Career Decision Making Among Community College Students

This study explored differences between career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) and career barriers of students enrolled in applied technology programs compared to those enrolled in college transfer. Participants in the ex post facto cross-sectional survey included 787 students at a community college. The following research questions were asked: (a) what is the predictive value of demographic variables on CDMSE and career barriers of applied technology and college transfer community college students? (b) is there a relationship between CDMSE and career barriers of applied technology and college transfer community college students? The Career Decision Self-Efficacy-Short Form and Career Barriers Inventory-Revised were administered to participants, and data were analyzed using two sample t tests, ANOVA and multiple regression models. There were significant differences between applied technology and college transfer students in terms of career barriers and career decision-making self-efficacy. Applied technology students, who tended to be older, had higher career decision-making self-efficacy scores than the college transfer students; this did not change across the other demographic variables. College transfer students, who tended to be younger, had higher perception of career barriers scores; this did not change across demographic variables. Future research is recommended to possibly gain specific information regarding demographics within these two groups.