Career Choice Inclination Based on Field of Study among Special Skills Certificate Graduates at Polytechnic

Abstract

Career choice is a significant decision in an individual’s life. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the level of career choice inclination among prospective graduates of the Special Skills Certificate and the factors that restrict their employment opportunities based on their field of study at Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan (PIS). A total of 41 prospective graduates participated in this study, comprising students from the Certificate in Fashion and Apparel Design, Certificate in Graphic Design, and Certificate in Hotel and Catering programmes. This quantitative research employed descriptive and inferential analyses to collect and interpret data. Overall, the findings revealed that the inclination level of Special Skills Certificate graduates to work according to their field of study was moderate, with a mean score of 3.31. The most dominant factor limiting their employment opportunities was low self-esteem, followed by disability. It is hoped that this study will receive attention from policymakers and institutional leaders in providing fair opportunities for Special Skills Certificate graduates to participate meaningfully in society without feeling marginalized.