What factors could improve the career decision-making process among students? The role of social support and creativity on career exploration and career indecision

Abstract

Students often need to make academic or career-related decisions, which can be a challenging and complex process. Being undecided about one’s career path is a common obstacle among students (Fabio, Palazzeschi, Asulin-Peretz, & Gati, 2013; Guay, Senecal, Gauthier, & Ferner, 2003). Potentially, students who experience more social support and are more creative will be more likely to explore career options, which could result in less career indecision. This study will explore this relationship and investigate if social support has a reinforcing effect on the relation between creativity and career exploration. Data were collected through an online survey with 81 students aged between 16 and 26 years old studying at higher education facilities. The survey measured their social support, creativity, career exploration and career indecision. Findings showed that social support and creativity were both positively associated with career exploration, which suggests that students gathered more information about employment opportunities and about themselves if social support and/or creativity increased. However, such an increase in career exploration was not related to a decrease in career indecision and social support did not enhance the relationship between creativity and career exploration. Nonetheless, findings revealed that more social support was related to less career indecision. Suggestions for practical implementation of the facilitating factors, social support and creativity, are provided for career counselling and career events. The limitations of the study are discussed and recommendations are given to guide future research to gain a better understanding of the career decision-making process among students.