Beyond Confidence: Exploring the Role of Self-Efficacy in Shaping Career Orientation Among University Graduates

Purpose: Self-efficacy is a key psychological factor which can impact a person's professional self-confidence, career decision making and occupational challenge. Self-efficacy is important in social work practice because social workers are often confronted with complex social situations and at risk populations, and a sense of self-efficacy is a key factor in building social work skills, resilience and a sense of career satisfaction. But very little empirical research is available to explore the effect of self-efficacy on career orientation among social work graduates in Pakistan context. The aim of this study was to study the effect of self-efficacy on career orientation of Social Work graduates of Punjab, Pakistan and to identify the demographic, educational, and socio-economic factors that influence their professional career.Methodology: A quantitative cross sectional research design was used. A structured questionnaire, which included standardized scales measuring general self-efficacy and career decision-making self-efficacy was used to gather data from the social work graduates of selected public universities of Punjab. Data collected were analysed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to draw patterns and relationships of the variables studied.Findings: The findings of the research showed that the self-efficacy of social work graduates was moderate to high and significantly influenced their self-confidence in the professional decision making, career planning, and future career aspirations. Structural issues, such as limited employment opportunities, lack of exposure to internships, limited financial resources, and lack of institutional career support are however, found to be major determinants of career uncertainty. The experiential learning and supportive academic environment and professional guidance thus emerged as important factors in improving graduates' readiness for careers.Implications: The research highlights the need to build up the self-efficacy through practice based social work education, systematic field training, mentoring and career path development programs. There is a need to prioritize institutional approaches that build social work graduates' confidence and employability in universities and in the policy environment. The above growing social welfare issues can only be met with the development of psychologically empowered and professionally competent social workers.