This study aimed to systematically analyze the career preparation needs of first-year university students based on Savickas’ Career Adaptation Model in the context of a rapidly changing labor market and the full implementation of the undeclared majo...
This study aimed to systematically analyze the career preparation needs of first-year university students based on Savickas’ Career Adaptation Model in the context of a rapidly changing labor market and the full implementation of the undeclared major admission system, which has increased students’ burdens related to career decision-making and preparation. In accordance with the three stages of the career adaptation model—adaptivity, adaptability resources, and adapting responses—basic psychological needs, career adaptability, and career exploration behaviors were selected as the core variables. The study simultaneously measured the perceived importance and current level of each variable to identify priorities for career support.
The participants were 298 first-year students enrolled in a four-year university in the 2025 academic year. Data were collected through an online survey conducted over approximately four weeks, from September 1 to September 26, 2025. Measurement instruments included scales assessing basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), career adaptability (concern, control, curiosity, and confidence), and career exploration behaviors (self-exploration, exploration of the world of work, and career alternative exploration). All items were rated on a five-point Likert scale for both importance and current level. Data analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0 and included descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and reliability analyses. Paired t-tests were performed for subfactors of each variable, followed by Borich needs assessment and The Locus for Focus (LoF) model analyses, and the results of the two methods were integrated.
The results were as follows. First, statistically significant differences between perceived importance and current level were found across all subfactors of the career adaptation model variables. Most subfactors of basic psychological needs, career adaptability, and career exploration behaviors showed significant mean differences. Among the three domains, career exploration behaviors exhibited the largest gaps, with career alternative exploration showing the greatest difference, followed by exploration of the world of work and self-exploration. Within career adaptability, the largest gaps were observed in confidence, followed by concern and control, while within basic psychological needs, competence showed the largest gap, followed by autonomy and relatedness.
Second, the Borich needs assessment indicated that career alternative exploration had the highest level of need and was identified as the top priority for support, followed by exploration of the world of work, confidence, concern, competence, control, self-exploration, curiosity, relatedness, and autonomy.
Third, the LoF model showed that career alternative exploration, confidence, concern, and control were located in the HH quadrant, indicating high importance and large discrepancy values. Integrating the results of the Borich analysis and the LoF model, career alternative exploration, confidence, and concern were consistently identified as the highest-priority support areas. Notably, career alternative exploration ranked first in both analyses.
The significance of this study lies in applying the career adaptation model to first-year university students and conducting an importance–current level–based needs assessment. By integrating Borich needs analysis and the LoF model to identify priority support areas, this study provides foundational data for developing tailored career education programs and improving university career support systems for freshmen. The findings also suggest the need for future research employing longitudinal or qualitative approaches to explore the career adaptation processes of university students in greater depth.