The influence of academic motivation and self-confidence on work readiness among grade XII students at SMK Wikarya Karanganyar

Jurnal Informasi dan Komunikasi Administrasi (JIKAP)
Vol 10, No 3 (2026): Mei

Abstrak Tingginya angka pengangguran lulusan SMK dibandingkan jenjang pendidikan lainnya mengindikasikan adanya kendala pada penyerapan tenaga kerja yang berakar dari rendahnya tingkat kesiapan kerja siswa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui: (1) pengaruh motivasi akademik terhadap kesiapan kerja siswa, (2) pengaruh kepercayaan diri terhadap kesiapan kerja siswa, (3) pengaruh motivasi akademik terhadap kepercayaan diri siswa, serta (4) pengaruh motivasi akademik terhadap kesiapan kerja siswa dengan kepercayaan diri sebagai mediasi pada siswa kelas XII SMK Wikarya Karanganyar. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif kausal. Teknik pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan proportional stratified random sampling yang menghasilkan sampel sebanyak 93 responden dari total populasi 122 siswa kelas XII di SMK Wikarya Karanganyar. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui kuesioner penelitian sebagai instrumen utama. Teknik analisis data menggunakan Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) berbasis Partial Least Squares (PLS) melalui software SmartPLS4. Hasil penelitian ini adalah sebagai berikut. Pertama, terdapat pengaruh positif dan signifikan motivasi akademik terhadap kesiapan kerja siswa (t = 3,167 > 1,96; p = 0,002 < 0,050). Kedua, terdapat pengaruh positif dan signifikan kepercayaan diri terhadap kesiapan kerja siswa (t = 6,189 > 1,96; p = 0,000 < 0,050). Ketiga, terdapat pengaruh positif dan signifikan motivasi akademik terhadap kepercayaan diri siswa (t = 9,745 > 1,96; p = 0,000 < 0,050). Keempat, kepercayaan diri secara signifikan memediasi hubungan antara motivasi akademik terhadap kesiapan kerja siswa (t = 5,557 > 1,96; p = 0,000 < 0,050). Temuan ini mengimplikasikan pentingnya integrasi antara penguatan kurikulum akademik dengan program pengembangan karakter untuk meminimalisir kesenjangan kompetensi lulusan. Pihak sekolah perlu merancang bimbingan karier yang fokus pada penguatan kematangan psikologis siswa guna meningkatkan daya saing di pasar kerja. Kata kunci : motivasi akademik; kepercayaan diri; kesiapan kerja; bimbingan karier; kematangan psikologis. Abstract The high unemployment rate of Vocational High School (SMK) graduates compared to other education levels indicates obstacles in labor absorption rooted in students' low level of work readiness. This study aims to determine: (1) the influence of academic motivation on student work readiness, (2) the influence of self-confidence on student work readiness, (3) the influence of academic motivation on student self-confidence, and (4) the influence of academic motivation on work readiness with self-confidence as a mediating variable among 12th-grade students at SMK Wikarya Karanganyar. This research is a causal quantitative study. The sampling technique used was proportional stratified random sampling, resulting in a sample of 93 respondents from a total population of 122 12th-grade students at SMK Wikarya Karanganyar. Data collection was conducted through research questionnaires as the primary instrument. The data analysis technique used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) through SmartPLS 4 software.  The results of the study show that. First, academic motivation has a positive and significant influence on student work readiness (t=3.167>1.96; p=0.002<0.050). Second, self-confidence has a positive and significant influence on student work readiness (t=6.189>1.96; p=0.000<0.050). Third, academic motivation has a positive and significant influence on student self-confidence (t=9.745>1.96; p=0.000<0.050). Fourth, self-confidence significantly mediates the relationship between academic motivation and student work readiness (t=5.557>1.96; p=0.000<0.050). These findings imply the importance of integrating academic curriculum reinforcement with character development programs to minimize the competency gap among graduates. Schools need to design career guidance that focuses on strengthening students' psychological maturity to increase competitiveness in the labor market. Keywords : academic motivation, self-confidence, work readiness, career guidance, psychological maturity