<![CDATA[This study examined the effect of career planning training on career exploration and career decision-making self-efficacy among Grade XI students in the Office Management and Business Services program at SMK N 3 Padang. The study was grounded in the continuing need to strengthen vocational students’ readiness to make informed career choices, especially because many students still have limited career information, low confidence, and uncertainty about the transition from school to work or further education. Although previous studies have discussed career guidance and career decision-making, empirical evidence on short, school-based career planning training for students with low career exploration and low career decision-making self-efficacy remains limited. This study employed a quantitative quasi-experimental design using a one-group pretest-posttest model. The population consisted of 83 students, and seven students who met the criteria of low career exploration and low career decision-making self-efficacy were selected through screening. Data were collected using adapted psychological scales, namely the Career Exploration Scale and the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale, both of which were tested for validity and reliability. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with SPSS 23. The results showed a significant increase in career exploration (Z = -2.371; p = .018) and career decision-making self-efficacy (Z = -2.366; p = .018) after the training. These findings indicate that career planning training can support students in understanding themselves, exploring occupational information, and building confidence to make career decisions. The study contributes to vocational guidance practice by offering evidence that structured career planning activities can be used by guidance and counseling teachers to strengthen students’ career readiness.]]>
