CAREER ANXIETY AND EMPLOYABILITY CONFIDENCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Economic uncertainty and labor market instability in Pakistan have intensified career-related concerns among youth, especially University students. However, published literature is scarce on this topic.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the dynamic relationship between career anxiety and perceived employability confidence among university students across Pakistan.

Methodology: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire disseminated via social media pages of 14 universities as located in different provinces of Pakistan. A total of (n = 432) undergraduate and postgraduate students participated. Standardized scales were used to measure variables of career anxiety and perceived-employability confidence. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

Findings: Career anxiety was negatively associated with employability confidence (β=0.126, p: <0.01). Higher levels of career-related anxiety significantly predicted lower confidence in securing future employment.

Discussion: This study contributes to the limited Human Resource Management literature in Pakistan by empirically examining the psychological factors influencing students’ perception of employability in a developing economy context. If universities fail to address escalating career anxiety, they risk graduating cohorts who possess degrees but lack the psychological confidence necessary to compete in an increasingly uncertain labor market.