Relationship between Personality Trait and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy on the Commitment to Career Choices among Undergraduate Students of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Graduates who often change their careers, fail to work in the field they are involved in and faced difficulties in the career selection could be related to the problems in their career choice commitment. This study aims to examine the relationship between personality traits and Career Decision Making Self Efficacy (CDMSE) on career choice commitment among undergraduate students of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This study uses correlational design and involves three questionnaire instruments which are The International Personality Item Pool-Mini (IPIP-FFM), Career Decision Making Self Efficacy-Short Form, and Commitment to Career Choice scale (CCCs). A total of 200 respondents consisting of year 3 and 4 FSSH students were involved in this study. Pearson correlation analysis showed that only openness trait had a significant negative relationship with TTF (r = -. 165) while extraversion trait (r = -186), agreeableness (r = -. 173) and openness (r = -. 165) has a significant negative relationship with VEC. The CDMSE also showed a significant positive relationship with TTF (r = -. 180) and a significant negative relationship with VEC (r = -. 285). Multiple regression analysis that are conducted showed only openness and CDMSE predict TTF. Combination of CDMSE (β = 0.254, p <0.05) and openness trait (β = -0.243, p <0.05) contributed 7.7% (r = 0.293) to the change in TTF variance [F (2, 197) = 9.255, p <0.05]. For the VEC dimension, only extraversion traits and CDMSE be a predictor. Combination of CDMSE (β = .0.263, p <0.05) and extraversion trait (β = -0.145, p <0.05) contributed 9.3% (r = 0.319) to the change in VEC variance [F (2, 197) = 11.190, p <0.05]. This study has implications specially to encourage students to make a good career decision making and enhance their commitment in career selection process. The findings of this study also can inspire the university institution, career counselors, and the community to help students to improve their readiness and self-confidence in career selection process. Several suggestions have also been put forward to encourage students to always be sensitive and actively involved in giving their commitment to career choice.