Investigating the Mediating Role of Career Aptitude on the Career Path of International Students: A Multi-Group Path analysis

Abstract: This study sought to explain how the career transition resources and career aptitude influence international students’ career decision-making process in the pre-decisional stage. A multi-group path model using marital status as a moderator was also empirically investigated to depict the roles of social, cultural, personal, and situational factors in career decisions. Responses from 319 international students at two different time points were analyzed to examine the mediation and multi-group path models. Results from a mediation analysis indicate that (a) four resources were crucial for enhancing self-efficacy and outcome expectations, and (b) outcome expectations mediate the aforementioned relationships. Our multi-group analysis further indicates that, for single students, all resources were meaningful to promote career aptitudes, while social support from host country did not play a key role in career development for married students. Given the increasing attention towards international students and their impact on a global labor market, this study points out how to enhance their career experiences in a host country and readiness for working as a global talent after graduation.