The Role of Asistensi Mengajar, TPACK, and Student Interest in Supporting Career Readiness within Educational Transformation

Higher education is essential to prepare future educators who are qualified and able to face the demands of a changing educational landscape. In this study, the impact of “Asistensi Mengajar”, mastery of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK), and interest in teaching on career readiness of education students will be analyzed directly and indirectly through the mediating function of teacher interest. This study employed a quantitative explanatory approach, with a sample of 105 Business Education students from the 2021 intake at the State University of Malang and the University of Surabaya. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that career readiness was strongly influenced by the “Asistensi Mengajar” and TPACK expertise, and that the relationship between them and students' interest in teaching was significantly mediated. The results of this study highlight the fact that intrinsic drive and enthusiasm for the teaching profession, in addition to experience and technical skills, determine students' career readiness. The implications of this research call for strengthening the integration of field practice, TPACK competency development, and approaches that foster professional interest in teacher education.