The Mediating Effect of Planned Happenstance Skills on the Relationship between Career Myths and Career Decision-Making Level among Job-Seekers

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of planned happenstance skills in the relationship between career myth and career decision-making level among young adults preparing for employment. Data were collected through an online survey administered to college students and recent graduates nationwide, with a total of 198 valid responses included in the final analysis. Statistical analyses such as descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis for each variable were conducted using SPSS 27.0. The mediating effect was assessed using hierarchical regression analysis, and statistical significance was tested through the Sobel Test and Bootstrapping. The results indicate that career myth has a significant negative effect on career decision-making level, and planned happenstance skills have a significant positive effect on career decision-making level. Furthermore, planned happenstance skills were found to partially mediate the relationship between career myth and career decision-making level. This finding highlights the importance of psychological resources in overcoming the negative impact of irrational beliefs on career development. The significance of this research lies in empirically confirming the mediating role of planned happenstance skills, thus providing foundational data for the development of career counseling and educational interventions aimed at enhancing flexible career decision-making among young adults. These results offer practical implications for designing programs that both address career myths and foster planned happenstance skills, ultimately supporting youth in making adaptive and proactive career choices in an uncertain labor market.