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An Investigation of Occupational Awareness, Career Adaptability and Career Anxiety amongst Tertiary Education Students: Testing a Moderation Model

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Title: An Investigation of Occupational Awareness, Career Adaptability and Career Anxiety amongst Tertiary Education Students: Testing a Moderation Model
Language: English
Authors: Sarah L. Alexander (ORCID 0000-0001-6713-6189), Jason Skues (ORCID 0000-0001-5091-8360), Lisa Wise (ORCID 0000-0002-4997-4768), Jessica Sharp (ORCID 0000-0001-7017-731X)
Source: Education & Training. 2025 67(10):40-55.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: College Students, Career Awareness, Vocational Adjustment, Anxiety, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Australia
DOI: 10.1108/ET-11-2023-0471
ISSN: 0040-0912
1758-6127
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which occupational awareness and career adaptability predict career anxiety and whether career adaptability moderates the relationship between occupational awareness and career anxiety. Design/methodology/approach: The sample comprised 186 Australian tertiary education students with a mean age of 30.30 years (SD = 9.90). Participants completed an anonymous online survey where data were collected using a battery of career development and psychological scales. Findings: Eight moderation models were performed and revealed that occupational awareness and the career adaptability resources of control and confidence were negatively associated with both current- and desired-career anxiety. However, the career adaptability resources of concern and curiosity were not associated with either current- or desired-career anxiety. No support was found for moderation by any of the adaptability resources. Research limitations/implications: Researchers are encouraged to confirm the factor structure of the career anxiety scale items in order to further understand the theoretical difference between current career anxiety and desired career anxiety. It would be useful to have a greater understanding of how the two forms of career anxiety are applicable in the modern, changing world which provides indication for interventions for different stakeholders. Practical implications: Teaching staff and career practitioners should consider assisting students in increasing their awareness of jobs and careers that are of interest to them as well as current and future technology and job market trends. Teaching staff should also be aware that a specific job or career may not be the goal for all tertiary students and that teaching transferable knowledge and skills also provides practical career adaptability skills. Originality/value: Greater occupational awareness and both career adaptability resources of control and confidence resources may act as protective resources for tertiary education students in reducing their current career- and desired-career anxiety.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1486878
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: An Investigation of Occupational Awareness, Career Adaptability and Career Anxiety amongst Tertiary Education Students: Testing a Moderation Model
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarah+L%2E+Alexander%22">Sarah L. Alexander</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6713-6189">0000-0001-6713-6189</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jason+Skues%22">Jason Skues</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5091-8360">0000-0001-5091-8360</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lisa+Wise%22">Lisa Wise</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4997-4768">0000-0002-4997-4768</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jessica+Sharp%22">Jessica Sharp</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7017-731X">0000-0001-7017-731X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Education+%26+Training%22"><i>Education & Training</i></searchLink>. 2025 67(10):40-55.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: 16
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
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  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Awareness%22">Career Awareness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Vocational+Adjustment%22">Vocational Adjustment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Anxiety%22">Anxiety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Australia%22">Australia</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
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  Data: 10.1108/ET-11-2023-0471
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 0040-0912<br />1758-6127
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which occupational awareness and career adaptability predict career anxiety and whether career adaptability moderates the relationship between occupational awareness and career anxiety. Design/methodology/approach: The sample comprised 186 Australian tertiary education students with a mean age of 30.30 years (SD = 9.90). Participants completed an anonymous online survey where data were collected using a battery of career development and psychological scales. Findings: Eight moderation models were performed and revealed that occupational awareness and the career adaptability resources of control and confidence were negatively associated with both current- and desired-career anxiety. However, the career adaptability resources of concern and curiosity were not associated with either current- or desired-career anxiety. No support was found for moderation by any of the adaptability resources. Research limitations/implications: Researchers are encouraged to confirm the factor structure of the career anxiety scale items in order to further understand the theoretical difference between current career anxiety and desired career anxiety. It would be useful to have a greater understanding of how the two forms of career anxiety are applicable in the modern, changing world which provides indication for interventions for different stakeholders. Practical implications: Teaching staff and career practitioners should consider assisting students in increasing their awareness of jobs and careers that are of interest to them as well as current and future technology and job market trends. Teaching staff should also be aware that a specific job or career may not be the goal for all tertiary students and that teaching transferable knowledge and skills also provides practical career adaptability skills. Originality/value: Greater occupational awareness and both career adaptability resources of control and confidence resources may act as protective resources for tertiary education students in reducing their current career- and desired-career anxiety.
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  Data: EJ1486878
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        Value: 10.1108/ET-11-2023-0471
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      – Text: English
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        StartPage: 40
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Career Awareness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Vocational Adjustment
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      – SubjectFull: Anxiety
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Australia
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