Percepción estudiantil del nivel de desarrollo de competencias de empleabilidad en carreras acreditadas de la Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica

Objective. To measure the perception of the level of development of employability skills among students in the last two years of high school in programs accredited by the Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior (National Higher Education Accreditation System) at the Omar Dengo and Benjamín Núñez campuses of the National University. Methodology. The study was framed within a quantitative paradigm, employing a non-experimental, cross-sectional design with a descriptive scope. The sample consisted of 335 students, who were administered a questionnaire using the survey technique. The instrument consisted of two sections: a first section with sociodemographic questions and a second section corresponding to the employability skills measurement scale. Statistical analysis was performed using R and Microsoft Excel. Results. Overall, students perceive a high level of employability skills. Differences were observed between those with work experience and those without, as well as between participants in co-curricular activities and those who stay on the sidelines. These characteristics could influence how prepared students feel to face the challenges inherent in the job placement process. Conclusions. Job placement should be viewed as an active learning experience that connects knowledge with personal traits and market conditions. Co-curricular activities are essential for building these skills, especially when there is no work experience. It is advisable to continue validating the scale in different settings and encourage its use as a tool for self-discovery and career management.