This study examined the effects of occupational image and job competency perception on career decision level among middle and high school students participating in after-school programs and university students majoring in flight attendant-related stud...
This study examined the effects of occupational image and job competency perception on career decision level among middle and high school students participating in after-school programs and university students majoring in flight attendant-related studies. A total of 259 valid responses were analyzed. The results indicate that occupational image significantly influences both job competency perception and career decision level. Among the sub-factors of job competency, coping and self-management competency and professional competency significantly affected career decision level. Independent samples t-test results showed that university students majoring in flight attendant studies demonstrated significantly higher levels of occupational benefits image, coping and self-management competency, professional competency, and career decision level than middle and high school students in after-school programs. These findings suggest structural differences in the relationships among occupational image, job competency, and career decision level across educational stages and provide practical implications for improving after-school programs for prospective flight attendant students.