The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of learning agility on career preparation behavior among university students and to empirically verify the mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy in this relationship. In the context ...
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of learning agility on career preparation behavior among university students and to empirically verify the mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy in this relationship. In the context of the VUCA era, characterized by rapid changes and increasing uncertainty in the labor market, learning agility has emerged as a core competency required of future professionals. Despite its growing importance, empirical research focusing on university students remains limited. Accordingly, this study sought to investigate the relationship between learning agility and career preparation behavior among university students and to clarify the mediating mechanism of career decision-making self-efficacy.
To achieve this purpose, a survey was conducted with university students, and the collected data were analyzed using statistical software. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation analysis were performed. The results indicated that learning agility had a significant positive effect on career preparation behavior and was also positively associated with career decision-making self-efficacy. Furthermore, career decision-making self-efficacy was found to have a significant positive effect on career preparation behavior. Mediation analysis revealed that career decision-making self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between learning agility and career preparation behavior.
These findings suggest that learning agility not only directly facilitates university students’ career preparation behavior but also indirectly influences it through career decision-making self-efficacy. This study contributes to the literature by extending the concept of learning agility, which has primarily been examined in organizational and HRD contexts, to the field of career development among university students. In addition, the results provide practical implications for higher education institutions by highlighting the importance of educational and co-curricular programs that enhance both learning agility and career decision-making self-efficacy to support students’ proactive career preparation in a rapidly changing labor market.