From School to Work Success: Self-Efficacy Mediates the Relationship Between Cognitive Skills and Work-Readiness Attributes

• In Event: Global View on the Development of Critical-Thinking Skills

Abstract

In recent years, educators have increasingly focused on the importance of preparing our students for the workforce. The present study examined a mediational model where Self-Efficacy is posited to mediate the pathways from cognitive skills acquired in educational settings (Application of Knowledge, Critical Thinking) to work-readiness attributes (Career Management, Open-mindedness, Resilience, Collaboration and Willingness to Learn). 914 undergraduate students from a Singapore University completed a self-report questionnaire. Maximum Likelihood structural equation modelling was run. The results showed that Self-Efficacy partially mediated the effects of Critical Thinking and Application of Knowledge, Career Management, Willingness to Learn, and Collaboration. Self-Efficacy also fully mediated the effects of Critical Thinking and Application of Knowledge on Open-Mindedness; and that of Critical Thinking on Resilience.

Authors

• Bee Leng Chua, National Institute of Education - Nanyang Technological University

• Satya Samhita Balanagu

• Pei Shan Goh, National Institute of Education - Nanyang Technological University

• Betsy Ng, Nanyang Technological University - National Institute of Education