Career Decision Self-efficacy Enhancement Training for Myanmar Emerging Adults: A Mixed Method Evaluation

Description

Page: 195-203

Laha Hkawng Lum¹, Manam Ja Seng Ing², and Rajitha Menon³ (Office of Alumni Support and Students’ Affairs, Pinnya Tagar College, Myanmar, Asia¹ and Graduate School of Human Sciences, Assumption University of Thailand, Asia^2,3)

Amidst ongoing political instability, economic challenges, and educational disruptions, many young people in Myanmar struggle to make informed career choices. Using a mixed-method approach, the study assessed the impact of a six-hour online intervention to improve the abilities for career-related decision-making among emerging adults from Myanmar. The intervention covered five key areas: self-awareness, the workplace, goal selection, professional hurdles, and career planning. Pre- and post-test measures were taken using the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Short Form (CDSE-SF) (Taylor & Betz, 1983). Results from the Mann-Whitney U Test indicated a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control group’s posttest CDSE scores (U=18.50, p=0.001). The Sign Test also indicated a remarkable increase in CDSE scores within the experimental group. The thematic analysis of qualitative data further revealed cognitive, emotional, and behavioral shifts, including increased career awareness, a stronger sense of agency in overcoming career barriers, and greater confidence in making informed career decisions. Participants also highlighted the need for extended training duration and more interactive activities to enhance learning engagement.