Influence of Career Preparation of Vocational College Graduates’ Career Decision-Making: Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

In China, students in higher vocational colleges typically pursue vocational education as an alternative to academic pathways, often due to comparatively lower academic performance. This educational track leads to distinct patterns of career preparation and decision-making that differ from those in traditional academic institutions. This quantitative study employed a correlational research design to examine the relationship between career preparation and career decision-making among Chinese vocational college graduates. A total of 403 graduates participated in the survey. The findings indicate that career preparation positively influences career decision-making. Moreover, self-efficacy plays a mediating role in this relationship. Although the study is limited by its cross-sectional design, it provides important insights into how career preparation serves as a critical personal resource in facilitating the school-to-work transition within the evolving global employment landscape.