Understanding Early Career Success in the Digital Era: The Roles of Digital Competencies, Career Readiness, and Career Self-Efficacy: MEMAHAMI KESUKSESAN KARIER AWAL DI ERA DIGITAL: PERAN KOMPETENSI DIGITAL, KESIAPAN KARIER, DAN EFIKASI DIRI KARIER

Abstract. This study investigates how digital competencies and career readiness contribute to career success among fresh graduates, with career self-efficacy serving as a mediator. A quantitative causal design was applied to questionnaire data from 200 employed fresh graduates in Indonesia with six months to two years of work experience. Data were analyzed using SEM-PLS through SmartPLS. The results show that digital competencies and career readiness significantly enhance both career self-efficacy and career success. Career self-efficacy also has a significant positive effect on career success and mediates the relationships of digital competencies and career readiness with career success. The findings emphasize the importance of developing graduates’ digital capabilities, career preparedness, and confidence in managing career demands during the early employment stage. Abstrak. Penelitian ini menganalisis kontribusi kompetensi digital dan kesiapan karier terhadap kesuksesan karier pada fresh graduate, dengan efikasi diri karier sebagai variabel mediasi. Penelitian menggunakan desain kuantitatif kausal dengan data kuesioner dari 200 fresh graduate di Indonesia yang telah bekerja selama enam bulan hingga dua tahun. Data dianalisis menggunakan SEM-PLS melalui SmartPLS. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa kompetensi digital dan kesiapan karier berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap efikasi diri karier maupun kesuksesan karier. Efikasi diri karier juga berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kesuksesan karier serta memediasi hubungan kompetensi digital dan kesiapan karier dengan kesuksesan karier. Temuan ini menegaskan pentingnya pengembangan kompetensi digital, kesiapan karier, dan keyakinan individu dalam menghadapi tuntutan karier pada tahap awal memasuki dunia kerja.