Influence of career orientations and career guidance need on students’ employability attributes

Abstract

This study explored the interplay between students’ career orientations and career guidance need in relation to their employability attributes of graduateness and personal employability qualities. Applying a cross-sectional design, 369 black South African students at a university of technology were sampled for the study. The students completed an adapted version of the Career Orientations Inventory and the Employer Employability Competency Expectations scale. Results following tests for significant mean differences and moderated regression analysis revealed that clarity on career orientation preferences is associated with a high need for career guidance. Career orientations predicted employability attributes more than the need for career guidance. Students with a high career orientation preference had significantly more positive perceptions of their graduateness and personal employability qualities than those with a low career orientation preference. Students with a low career orientation preference and weak desire for career guidance had a significantly weaker awareness of their employability attributes. Premised on the dispositional model of employability, the findings suggest the need for career guidance in employability learning and development to help students gain insight into their career orientation preferences and personal employability qualities.