The relationship of career decision self-efficacy and perceived barriers to academic preparedness for community college students of African descent

This study examined the relationship of career decision self-efficacy and perception of barriers to the outcome variables perception of academic reality (i.e., a construct for student perceived college readiness) and college GPA. The sample consisted of students of African descent (n = 85) attending a northeastern community college located in an urban environment. The results revealed that higher career decision self-efficacy and lower perception of barriers were predictors of perception of academic reality (i.e., higher perception of college readiness). Career decision self-efficacy was also negatively correlated with perception of barriers. These results support the application of career social cognitive modeling to understanding the postsecondary development of students of African descent. Implications for counselor education, professional school counseling, and continuing areas of research are discussed.