A Study on How University Students’ Media Literacy Affects Their Career Preparation Behavior, Mediated by Career Attitude Maturity

This study aimed to investigate the effects of media literacy on career preparation behavior among university students, with career attitude maturity as a mediating factor. To this end, a nationwide survey targeting university students was conducted, and the findings were as follows:. First, while significant differences were observed in media literacy and career attitude maturity based on gender, no such differences were found with respect to academic year or residential area. Second, a significant positive correlation was identified among media literacy, career attitude maturity, and career preparation behavior. Third, media literacy was found to have a partial mediating effect on career preparation behavior through career attitude maturity. These findings underscore the importance of media literacy in supporting students' career preparation, particularly in the context of the media-enhanced educational environments implemented in universities during the COVID-19 pandemic.