Furthering Proactivity and Career Adaptability Among University Students: Test of Intervention

Abstract

This study was based on a theory-driven training course, Staying Relevant. It aimed at developing university students’ proactive personality and career adaptability resources (concern, control, curiosity, and confidence) with the assumption that 6 months later, they would demonstrate appropriate adapting responses (career planning, career decision-making self-efficacy, career exploration, and occupational self-efficacy). A randomized control trial, the study used the pretest–posttest–posttest one control group ( n = 49) and one experimental group ( n = 49) design. Compared to the control group, results indicated that the training group had higher proactivity and career adaptability resources immediately after the training and 6 months later as well as showed higher adapting responses 6 months later. Theoretical contributions and practical implications of these results are also discussed. The study concluded that the Staying Relevant course embodying an eclectic mix of intervention best practices could be successful in facilitating a smooth university-to-work transition.