This study investigated the role of personal and contextual assets in promoting career adaptability and the psychosocial well-being of emerging adults in the Ethiopian school-to-work transition regime. Due to the country's ongoing socioeconomic and political instability, the regime faces multiple challenges in providing employment opportunities for many graduates. In contexts where opportunities for work-integrated learning are limited, individual agency and contextual resources are vital in promoting young adults' career adaptability and well-being (Schoon & Heckhausen, 2019). Moreover, adapting to such changing labour market environments and uncertainty requires enhancing the career adaptability of young adults as an important psychological coping resource. Survey data was collected from 607 undergraduate students aged 20-28 from six universities. Structural equation modelling was applied for quantitative analysis. Conversely, participatory photovoice was applied to explore the voices of 42 respondents (male =30 and female = 12) preparing for career transition. Participant’s photos and narratives were analysed through a thematic content analysis in NVivo 14. Quantitative results indicate a positive and significant effect of proactive personality and social support on career adaptability and subjective well-being and a negative relationship to career anxiety. An acceptable model fit incidences were reported for both measurement and structural model, and a significant mediation role of career adaptability was confirmed. The qualitative analysis yields five overarching themes. The study suggests valuable theoretical insights and policy implications for contextualized career development intervention.

Authors:
Dagim Dawit Gonsamo, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Herman Hay Ming Lo, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Edward Ko Ling Chan, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dagim Dawit Gonsamo is a PhD candidate in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research focuses on the intersection between education, employment, and the well-being of young adults.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagim-dawit-gonsamo-873537205/

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dagim-Gonsamo

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