Abstract
In this study, we incorporated the Entrepreneurship, Professional, and Leadership (EPL) framework into social cognitive theory in an attempt to better understand adolescent career aspirations. Specifically, we explored how encouragement, as reported by the adolescent and the corresponding parent at Time 1, shaped the respective E, P, and L self-efficacy and resulting E, P, and L career outcome measures (i.e., motivation and intent) three months later at Time 2. Data from 252 students indicated that parental encouragement played a positive role in increasing the adolescent’s career self-efficacy, motivation, and intent, with self-efficacy mediating some of the relationships. We also found gender differences in professional career intent and leadership self-efficacy. Our findings suggest that encouragement from parents is critical in shaping career development of adolescents particularly in the Singapore context. Given the nontrivial parental influence, government initiatives aiming to promote entrepreneurship among adolescents must involve their parents.
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Self-efficacy
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Not at all confident | A little confident | Moderately confident | Fairly confident | Extremely confident |
Entrepreneurship Domain:
1 | I understand the mindset of consumers and how to market my product/service to them |
2 | I am confident of developing a product using needs identification techniques |
3 | I know how to pitch and sell ideas and products/services to people |
4 | I am able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of my business idea in comparison to existing products/services in the market |
5 | I understand how to develop and analyse income statements |
6 | I am able to see myself starting and running a business in future |
7 | I am able to determine appropriate pricing strategies and channels for marketing |
8 | I am capable of conducting market research by myself |
9 | I am able to communicate my business ideas to other people such as mentors, potential customers and potential business partners |
10 | I understand the financial requirements and considerations to start and run a business |
11 | I am confident of doing up a budget for my business |
Professional Domain:
1 | I can conduct research to contribute to advanced knowledge in my desired area of specialisation |
2 | I am confident of becoming one of the best experts or professionals in my field of specialisation |
3 | I am able to share with others my knowledge in my desired area of work specialisation or profession |
4 | I keep up with developments and changes in my desired area of specialisation or profession |
Leadership Domain:
1 | I motivate others working with me to do more than they dreamed they could do |
2 | I am able to take charge of decisions needed for a group or organization |
3 | I am able to rally my team to work towards a common goal |
4 | I am able to develop and train future leaders for an organization |
5 | I am able to plan, direct, organize and prepare others as to what they need to do |
6 | I am able to inspire others through the vision I create |
Intent
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither agree nor disagree | Agree | Strongly agree |
Entrepreneurship Domain:
1 | I am definitely going to be an entrepreneur after my studies and am prepared to do anything to achieve that goal |
2 | I will start my business within 10 years of joining the workforce |
3 | When I have enough work experience and funding, I am certain to start my own business |
4 | If given a chance, I would join a young start-up company to help it to grow |
5 | I will start my business within 5 years of joining the workforce |
6 | I have a viable business idea and intend to start my own business soon after my studies |
Professional Domain:
1 | I’d much prefer a career as a specialized expert or professional in a large and stable organization |
2 | I see myself continuously furthering or advancing in my specialization and professional/technical expertise throughout my working life |
3 | I definitely don’t see myself working as a professional or a technical expert after graduating from my studies |
4 | My main career goal is to be a technical expert, specialist or professional in my field of study |
Leadership Domain:
1 | I do not see myself as a leader or manager, in charge of others in my future |
2 | I plan to become a leader or manager in the near future |
3 | My main career goal is to rise up the ranks as a leader or manager in charge of others in an organization |
Motivation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither agree nor disagree | Agree | Strongly agree |
Entrepreneurship Domain:
1 | I feel I ought to live up to my parents’ expectations to work in an entrepreneurial business environment |
2 | Ever since I was a kid, I have dreamed about opening my own business |
3 | I am the kind of person who constantly has ideas about making money |
4 | This country needs more entrepreneurs and I feel obliged to “give it a go” |
Professional Domain:
1 | The best way to increase my country’s competitiveness is for people like me to become highly skilled professional in my field of study |
2 | It is a privilege and honour for me to excel in my chosen area of study |
3 | I am the kind of person who strives to be highly specialized in my field of study |
4 | I like to be highly specialized and experienced in a specific set of skills |
Leadership Domain:
1 | I am the kind of person who likes influencing and managing people more than doing anything else |
2 | I agree to lead whenever asked or nominated by other group members |
3 | I feel that I have a duty to lead others if I am asked |
4 | I’ve always enjoyed leading others and have assumed leadership roles whenever I could |
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Kang, B.N.Y., Uy, M.A. (2020). An Examination of Entrepreneurial, Professional and Leadership (EPL) Career Aspirations Among Adolescent Youth. In: Ho, M., Kennedy, J., Uy, M., Chan, KY. (eds) Entrepreneurship–Professionalism–Leadership. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3121-7_13
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