Malaysian study shows influence of generation Y’s career development strategies on the self-directedness of their careers

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to examine the influence of generation Y’s career establishment strategies on the self-directedness of their careers, and also determine the moderating effects of gender on the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors looked at three types of career strategies – “creating career opportunities”, “seeking career guidance” and “self-nomination.” They tested the correlations of each one with self-directedness in the career establishment stage. The sampling for the study was general Y employees from multinationals in the Malaysian Electrical and Electronic Industry.

Findings

In analyzing the results it was found that 34.5 per cent of the variance of self-directedness in the careers of generation Y workers could be explained by creating career opportunities, seeking career guidance and self-nomination strategies. The best predictor of self-directedness was “creating career opportunities.” The results also revealed that male respondents were more likely than their female counterparts to use career creating opportunity strategies to achieve self-directedness.

Originality/value

The results show that generation Y workers should take care to improve their skills in order to manage their career development. This requires a willingness to take every opportunity to benefit from education, training and job experience. The authors also advise generation Y workers to seek out career guidance from experienced colleagues. It is also important that career counselors understand generation Y’s values in order to set the most suitable goals.

Citation

(2020), "Malaysian study shows influence of generation Y’s career development strategies on the self-directedness of their careers", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 15-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-03-2020-0045