THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-EFFICACY AND CAREER DECISION-MAKING OF GRADE 12 HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES STUDENTS AT IMMACULADA CONCEPCION COLLEGE

Abstract

Self-efficacy is a fundamental psychological factor that influences behavior, motivation, and the attainment of personal goals, particularly in academic settings. Career decision-making is a complex process that requires individuals to make informed choices about their educational and professional futures. Given its significance, self-efficacy plays a pivotal role in shaping students’ confidence and ability to navigate career-related decisions. This study aimed to assess the self-efficacy levels of Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) students at Immaculada Concepcion College and examine how it influences their career decision-making. By understanding this relationship, the research seeks to provide insights that can support students in making informed and confident career choices. This study utilized a quantitative research method with a descriptive-correlational design and employed a simple random sampling technique. A researcher-developed questionnaire, validated by professionals, was used as the primary data collection instrument. The survey was administered via Google Forms, gathering a total of 251 responses from students across all sections of HUMSS 1–15. The findings revealed that respondents consistently demonstrated high levels of self-efficacy across various factors. Specifically, self-confidence had an overall mean score of 3.30, motivation 3.34, readiness 3.28, personal interest 3.39, family influence 3.28, willingness 3.16, and maturity 3.30. Furthermore, statistical analysis using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) identified a significant relationship between students' self-efficacy and their career decision-making. Key self-efficacy factors, such as self-confidence, motivation, and readiness, exhibited moderate positive correlations with various aspects of career decision-making. These results highlight the crucial role of self-efficacy in shaping students' career choices and confidence in decision-making.making. The rejection of the null hypothesis in all cases suggested a meaningful association between self-efficacy and career decision-making. The results underscored the significant role of self-efficacy in shaping students' career choices and decision-making processes. Students with higher self-efficacy in professional decision-making are more likely to feel confident in their choices and experience greater satisfaction with their chosen careers.