Journal of Vocational, Informatics and Computer Education
Vol 4, No 1 (2026): March 2026

Psychological and Academic Predictors of Employability Skills: The Mediating Role of Career Planning in Indonesian Engineering Students

Muhammad Haristo Rahman (Univeristas Negeri Makassar.)
Nahridzah Mahjubuh Shiber (Universitas Negeri Makassar)
Aminuddin (Universitas Negeri Makassar)



Article Info

Publish Date
18 Apr 2026

Abstract

Purpose – This study examines the psychological and academic antecedents of employability skills among engineering students by investigating the roles of self-efficacy and academic commitment, with career planning as a mediating variable.Methods – A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 323 undergraduate engineering students from a public university in Indonesia. Validated instruments were used to measure self-efficacy, academic commitment (level of commitment, investment, and meaningfulness), career planning, and employability skills (analytical skills, general management, and leadership). Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings – The findings showed that self-efficacy and academic investment were the most consistent predictors of career planning. In turn, career planning was positively associated with all dimensions of employability skills, indicating its central role as a mediating mechanism between psychological and academic factors and employability outcomes. By contrast, level of commitment and meaningfulness showed weaker and less consistent relationships with employability dimensions.Research implications – The findings highlight the importance of strengthening self-efficacy, promoting active academic investment, and integrating structured career planning into higher education to support students’ employability development. Originality – This study extends prior employability research by testing a mediated model of self-efficacy, academic commitment, and career planning in an Indonesian engineering student context. However, the findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the cross-sectional design and single-university sample.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

VOICE

Publisher

Subject

Computer Science & IT Education

Description

1. Informatics and Computing Research addressing the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of computing technologies relevant to educational, professional, and digital learning environments, including but not limited to: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Deep Learning and ...