Sense of Control and Career Adaptability Among Undergraduate Students

The current study examined the direct relation of sense of control to career adaptability, as well as its ability to function as a mediator for other established predictors, with a sample of 1,991 undergraduate students. Students endorsing a greater sense of personal control were more likely to view themselves as adaptable to the world of work. Additionally, the degree to which students ’ supportive relationships, self-esteem, and positive outlook on their future career related to adaptability was partially mediated by students ’ perceptions of control in their lives. In line with the theoretical work of Blustein (2006), it is suggested that the sense of personal control in an indi-vidual’s life may be an important construct to consider in career-related research and counseling. Keywords sense of control, adaptability Career adaptability is defined as the ‘‘readiness to cope with the predictable tasks of preparing for and participating in the work role and with the unpredictable adjustments prompted by changes in work and working conditions’ ’ (Savickas, 1997, p. 254). Introduced by Savickas (1997) as a replace-ment for Super’s (1955) notion of career maturity, adaptability represents a critical skill in an indi