Understanding self-efficacy and the dynamics of part-time work and career aspiration

Purpose Building on self-efficacy theory and self-theories, this paper investigates students working part-time whilst in full-time higher education in Cambodia. It explores individuals’ part-time working activities, career aspirations and self-efficacy. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected in a cross-sectional survey of 850 Business and Social Sciences degree students, with 199 (23.4%) usable responses, of which 129 (65.2% of the sample) indicated they currently have a job. Findings Multiple regression analysis confirmed part-time work as a significant predictor of self-efficacy. There was a positive recognition of the value of part-time work, particularly in informing career aspirations. Female students were significantly more positive about part-time work, demonstrating significantly higher career aspirations than males. Results also suggest that students recognise the value that work experience has in identifying future career directions and securing the first graduate position. Practical implications There are potential implications for approaches to curriculum design and learning, teaching and assessment for universities. There are also clear opportunities to integrate work-based and work-related learning experience into the curriculum and facilitate greater collaboration between higher education institutions and employers in Cambodia. Social implications There are implications for recruitment practices amongst organisations seeking to maximise the benefits derived from an increasingly highly educated workforce; including skills acquisition and development, and self-efficacy. Originality/value It investigates the importance of income derived from part-time working to full-time university students in a developing South-East Asian country (Cambodia); where poverty levels and the need to contribute to family income, potentially predominate the decision to work while studying.