The Impact of Future Orientation on Career Exploration of Chinese Higher Vocational College Students : Focused on the Mediating Role of Specialty Identity and Grit

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study aimed to empirically investigate the effect of future orientation on career exploration among Chinese higher vocational college students, with specialty identity and grit as mediating variables in this relationship. To do this, this study constructed and verified a research model and hypotheses based on previous researches. The study involved a questionnaire survey of 505 current students from five higher vocational colleges in Sichuan Province, China. SPSS 26.0 was used for descriptive statistical analysis and correlation analysis of the data, while Amos 26.0 was employed for structural equation modeling and path analysis to verify the relationships between variables. The results of the study revealed several significant findings among Chinese higher vocational college students. First, future orientation had a significant positive effect on career exploration. Second, future orientation had a significant positive effect on specialty identity. Third, specialty identity had a significant positive effect on career exploration. Fourth, future orientation had a significant positive effect on grit. Fifth, grit had a significant positive effect on career exploration. Sixth, specialty identity played a significant mediating role in the relationship between future orientation and career exploration. Seventh, grit played a significant mediating role in the relationship between future orientation and career exploration. This study specifically reveals the interrelationships among factors influencing career exploration of higher vocational college students in China, including future orientation, specialty identity, and grit. Compared to undergraduate university students, research on career exploration among Chinese higher vocational college students is relatively limited, and studies examining the impact of future orientation as a critical factor are particularly scarce. Future orientation, as a significant developmental task for adolescents, holds profound implications for their life planning. The research findings contribute to strengthening the cultivation of future orientation, specialty identity, and grit among Chinese higher vocational college students, providing theoretical and practical data for improving the level of career exploration in their educational context. Keywords: Chinese higher vocational college students, future orientation, career exploration, specialty identity, grit

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Ⅰ. Introduction 1
• 1. Research Background and Necessity 1
• 2. Research Purpose 6
• 3. Research Questions 7
• 4. Definition of Terms7
• Ⅱ. Theoretical Background 9
• 1. The System and Employment Issues of Chinese Higher
• Vocational Colleges 9
• 1) The Chinese Vocational Education System9
• 2) The System of Chinese Higher Vocational Colleges 10
• 3) Employment Issues of Chinese Higher Vocational College
• Students 13
• 2. Career Exploration 15
• 1) Concept of Career Exploration15
• 2) Dimensions of Career Exploration18
• 3. Future Orientation 24
• 1) Concept of Future Orientation 24
• 2) Dimensions of Future Orientation26
• 4. Specialty Identity30
• 1) Concept of Specialty Identity30
• 2) Dimensions of Specialty Identity 34
• 5. Grit 39
• 1) Concept of Grit 39
• 2) Dimensions of Grit41
• 6. Relationships between the Research Variables44
• 1) Future Orientation and Career Exploration 44
• 2) Future Orientation and Specialty Identity 46
• 3) Specialty Identity and Career Exploration47
• 4) Future Orientation and Grit49
• 5) Grit and Career Exploration 50
• III. Research Methods52
• 1. Research Model and Hypothesis 52
• 1）Research Model52
• 2）Research Hypothesis55
• 2. Research Participants 55
• 3. Research Procedure 57
• 4. Research Tools 58
• 1) Career Exploration 58
• 2) Future Orientation 59
• 3) Specialty Identity 60
• 4) Grit61
• 5. Data Analysis62
• Ⅳ. Results64
• 1. Descriptive Statistics 64
• 1) Mean, Standard Deviation and Normality 64
• 2）Difference Analysis in Demographic Variables65
• 3) Correlation Analysis 69
• 2. Analysis of Measurement Model 73
• 1) Analysis of Measurement Model 73
• 2) Validity Analysis 74
• 3) Confirmatory Factor Analysis 76
• 3. Test of Research Hypotheses 78
• 1) Validation of Research Model Fit78
• 2) Direct Effects 80
• 3) Mediating Effects81
• 4. Adoption of Research Hypotheses 82
• V. Conclusion 83
• 1. Research Summary 83
• 2. Discussion and Conclusion 84
• 3. Limitations and Suggestions93
• References 95
• viii
• Appendix. Questionnaire 114
• Part I: Basic Information 115
• Part II: Career Exploration Questionnaire 115
• Part III: Future Orientation Questionnaire 116
• Part IV: Specialty Identity Questionnaire 117
• Part V: Grit Questionnaire 118
• 국문초록 120