<![CDATA[The transition from higher education to employment requires graduates to possess not only technical competencies but also psychological resources and the ability to adapt to changing career demands. This study examines the effects of Career Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, and Social Support on Employment Readiness, with Career Adaptability as a mediating variable among cadets at Politeknik Penerbangan Jayapura, Indonesia. A quantitative explanatory approach with a cross-sectional design was employed. The study involved 108 cadets selected through saturated sampling, comprising 69 males (63.9%) and 39 females (36.1%), with ages ranging from 19 to 25 years. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising 30 measurement items covering five constructs: career anxiety, self-efficacy, social support, career adaptability, and employment readiness. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The results show that career anxiety negatively affects career adaptability and employment readiness, whereas self-efficacy positively affects career adaptability and employment readiness. Social support positively affects career adaptability and employment readiness. Career adaptability also positively affects employment readiness and significantly mediates the relationships of career anxiety, self-efficacy, and social support with employment readiness. Among the predictors, social support demonstrates the largest positive total effect on employment readiness, followed by self-efficacy, while career anxiety has a negative total effect. These findings indicate that career adaptability is a significant but differentially influential mediating pathway. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening social support, self-efficacy, and career adaptability, alongside targeted career guidance, to enhance cadets’ readiness for workforce entry.]]>
