Determinants of Employment Intention among Undergraduate Students: A Multiple Linear Regression

Abstract

Graduates are a vital human resource for economic development, but many struggle to secure employment due to rising competition, evolving job market demands, and economic uncertainties. This study investigates the determinants of employment intention among undergraduate students, solely focusing on the effects of self-efficacy and self-readiness. Data were collected from 160 students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kelantan Branch using a semi-structured questionnaire that measured self-efficacy, self-readiness, and employment intention on a 10-point Likert scale. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that both self-efficacy and self-readiness significantly impact students’ intention to seek employment after graduation, with self-readiness being the stronger predictor. The model explained 47.6% of the variation in employment intentions, indicating that while these two factors play a crucial role, other influences may also affect students’ decisions. The findings suggest that universities should focus on enhancing students’ readiness for the workforce and building their self-efficacy to better prepare them for future employment. Further research should consider additional factors influencing employment intentions and apply this model to other educational contexts for broader generalisation.