Work Values and Career Maturity Among Undergraduates at Polytechnic University

Abstract

This study examined work values and career maturity in a sample of 98 undergraduates at Polytechnic University. New Work Motivation Scale, short form of the Japanese Big-Five Scale and Career Readiness Scale were selected for use in this study. Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, correlation analysis, and categorical regression analysis were conducted. We found that “neuroticism” significantly contributed to “social status,” “social contribution,” and “family piety”; while “career readiness” significantly contributed to “self-realization”; and “extraversion” significantly contributed to “rewarding.” There were differences in career maturity between the decided and undecided occupation groups; career maturity was significantly higher in the decided group. Additionally, “self-realization,” “contribution to society,” and “rewarding” were significantly higher in the mature group than in the immature group. It seems reasonable to conclude that promoting career maturity among undergraduates contributes to their job satisfaction once they are employed.