ABSTRACT

With increasing evidence highlighting the link between psychological factors such as self-esteem, self-efficacy and optimism on employability outcomes, this paper reports an evaluation of a unique student experience initiative called ‘Life Design’ developed to support the professional and personal development of undergraduate students. First year undergraduates engaged in a two-hour workshop involving interactive exercises designed to foster self-reflection, self-efficacy, and career optimism. The impact of this workshop on validated self-report measures of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and optimism, alongside career-related outcomes was explored using a prospective longitudinal design. Analyses revealed a significant immediate and sustained increase in self-esteem following Life Design, but no impact on self-efficacy or career optimism. Certainty of career developing steps increased at a later follow up, but no changes to career prospect confidence or career choice certainty were reported. This paper highlights the benefits and wider challenges of delivering and engaging students in initiatives designed to enhance employability.

摘要

随着越来越多的证据强调自尊、自我效能感和对就业结果的乐观等心理因素之间的联系，本文报告了一项名为“生活设计”的独特学生体验计划的评估，该计划旨在支持本科生的专业和个人发展学生。一年级本科生参加了一个两小时的研讨会，其中包括旨在培养自我反思、自我效能和职业乐观主义的互动练习。使用前瞻性纵向设计探讨了本次研讨会对自尊、自我效能和乐观的有效自我报告测量的影响，以及与职业相关的结果。分析显示，在生活设计之后，自尊会立即和持续地显着增加，但对自我效能感或职业乐观度没有影响。在随后的随访中，职业发展步骤的确定性有所增加，但没有报告职业前景信心或职业选择确定性发生变化。本文重点介绍了让学生参与旨在提高就业能力的举措的好处和更广泛的挑战。