Investigation of the relationship between the perceived career prospects and self-efficacy: Comparison of demographic characteristics

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the relationship between university students' perceived career prospects and self-efficacy perceptions. In this context, data were collected from 375 students, attending their undergraduate and graduate education at Kocaeli University during the 2017-2018 academic calendar fall semester. In the study, career futures inventory and self-efficacy scale were used. SPSS program was used in the analysis of questionnaires. Nonparametric tests were performed since the study data has a non-normal distribution. Nonparametric correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the variables, and a statistically significant and positive relationship was found between the perceived career prospects and self-efficacy. In addition, Mann-Whitney U test was carried out to test the hypotheses, stating that the participants' perceived career prospects and self-efficacy perceptions differ in terms of demographic characteristics (generation, nationality and gender). According to the test results, the self-efficacy perceptions of the participants differ statistically between Turkish students and foreign students. The knowledge levels of male participants on the labor market differ significantly from that of female participants. Considering the generation variable, career adaptation and career optimism dimensions differed significantly between Generation Y and Generation Z