Exploring the career development challenges and expectations of international students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v14i4.6511

Keywords:

career outcome expectations, international students, covid-19 pandemic, social cognitive career theory

Abstract

In this study, the interrelations between locus of control, perceived social support, career decision self-efficacy, and career outcome expectations among international students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated through the lens of Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). Based on structural equation modeling, data from 194 international students at a large Midwestern research institution in the United States.  revealed that career decision self-efficacy plays a significant mediating role in the relationships between age, locus of control, and career outcome expectations. These results provide valuable insights into the career development process of international students during a global pandemic. The implications of these findings and directions for future research are thoroughly discussed.

Author Biographies

  • Jason Li, Wichita State University

    Jiaqi (Jason) Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, Educational and School Psychology in the College of Education at Wichita State University. He received his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Texas Tech University. His research interests were broadly in the areas of career development, addictive behaviors, and mental issues of underrepresented groups in the school setting. He is a licensed professional counselor and national certified counselor in the state of Kansas. When he isn’t working, he enjoys traveling, reading, running, and spending quality time with his wife and family.

  • Xun Liu, Virginia Commonwealth University
    Xun Liu, PhD, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Foundations of Education at Virginia Commonwealth.  Her research interests and professional goals are focused on quantitative research methods and statistics (structural equation modeling, longitudinal modeling, multilevel modeling, machine learning, social network analysis etc.), marriage and family studies, and social and emotional development in early childhood.  She has a strong interest in using advanced quantitative research approaches to inform practical implementation to schools, teachers, and students.
  • Philip Mullins, Wichita State University

    Philip Mullins, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Intervention Services and Leadership in Education in the College of Applied Studies at Wichita State University. His research interests include suicide training, prevention, and intervention as well as mental health in sports.Philip.mullins@wichita.edu

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Published

2024-06-26

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 4 (2024): Journal of International Students

Section

Research Articles (English)

Categories

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Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of International Students

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

All published articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 Unported License.

How to Cite

Li, J., Liu, X., & Mullins, P. (2024). Exploring the career development challenges and expectations of international students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of International Students, 14(4), 591-605. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v14i4.6511