Career exploration among early adults: the influence of perceived future employability and career optimism

Career exploration is an important career development task to support individual success in achieving career goals. This study aims to determine the relationship between perceived future employability and career optimism with career exploration in early adulthood. This study involved 205 university students, 66.3% female and 33.7% male. This study used a quantitative approach with three measurement instruments, namely: career exploration survey scale, perceived future employability scale, and career optimism scale to collect the data. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis techniques. The results showed that perceived future employability and career optimism were related to career exploration. Separately, perceived future employability was positively related to career exploration, but there was no relationship between career optimism and career exploration. The study has implications for how universities and career counselors may assist students in enhancing their career exploration by increasing their positive perception of future employability.