The Role Of Self -Concepts On Career Maturity In Mover High School Students In Medan City

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The Role of Self-Concepts on Career Maturity in Mover High School Students in Medan City

Introduction

Adolescence, particularly at the age of 15-18 years, is a crucial period for high school students to prepare themselves to face the world of work and build a career in the future. Career choices in adolescence are closely related to career maturity, which refers to the ability of individuals to understand themselves, explore career choices, and plan steps to achieve career goals. To achieve career maturity, teenagers need to develop a positive self-concept. A positive self-concept helps adolescents in recognizing their potential and interests, as well as building confidence in facing challenges and decision-making related to their career.

The Importance of Self-Concept in Career Maturity

Self-concept is a crucial factor in building career maturity. It refers to an individual's perception of themselves, including their strengths, weaknesses, values, and goals. A positive self-concept is essential for career maturity as it provides individuals with self-confidence, motivation, and clarity of goals to be achieved. When individuals have a positive self-concept, they are more likely to explore their interests and talents, and build confidence in pursuing their career goals.

Methodology

This study was conducted on 257 Mover High School students in Medan, using the self-concept scale based on Calhoun & Acocella's theory (1995) and career maturity scale based on Super's theory (in Hamzah, 2019). Quantitative research methods with a survey approach were used to collect data, which were then analyzed using simple linear regression analysis through SPSS version 25.0. The results of the analysis showed a significance value of 0.000 (sig. <0.05), which means there is a positive and significant relationship between the self-concept and career maturity of the Driving High School students in the city of Medan.

Further Analysis

The results of this study indicate that self-concept has an important role in building career maturity. Students with positive self-concept tend to have a higher career maturity. This can be understood because positive self-concept gives self-confidence, motivation, and clarity of the goals to be achieved.

The Importance of Building a Positive Self-Concept

Building a positive self-concept from an early age is a key factor in building career maturity. Schools, parents, and teachers have an important role in facilitating the development of positive self-concepts in students. By providing a supportive and motivating environment, they can help students find their interests and talents, and build confidence in pursuing their career goals.

Support from the Environment

A supportive and motivating environment can help students find their interests and talents, and build confidence in pursuing their career goals. This can be achieved by providing opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents, and by offering guidance and support in their career development.

Personal Development Program

Self-development programs designed to improve self-concept and career maturity can help high school students in determining appropriate career choices and building strategies to achieve their goals. These programs can include activities such as career counseling, job shadowing, and internships, which can help students gain practical experience and build their skills and confidence.

Conclusion

This research provides a clear picture of the important role of self-concept in building the career maturity of the Driving High School students in the city of Medan. Building positive self-concept in high school students becomes a long-term investment that is beneficial for their future. This requires joint efforts from various parties, including schools, parents, teachers, and the surrounding environment.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

  • Schools should provide a supportive and motivating environment that encourages students to develop a positive self-concept.
  • Parents and teachers should play an active role in facilitating the development of positive self-concepts in students.
  • Self-development programs should be designed to improve self-concept and career maturity in high school students.
  • Opportunities should be provided for students to explore their interests and talents, and to gain practical experience in their chosen field.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

  • The study was conducted on a small sample of students from one school in Medan.
  • The study used a quantitative research method, which may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between self-concept and career maturity.
  • The study did not control for other factors that may influence self-concept and career maturity, such as socioeconomic status and family background.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

  • Investigate the relationship between self-concept and career maturity in a larger and more diverse sample of students.
  • Use a mixed-methods approach to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between self-concept and career maturity.
  • Examine the role of other factors, such as socioeconomic status and family background, in influencing self-concept and career maturity.

References

Calhoun, L. G., & Acocella, J. R. (1995). Self-concept and career development. Journal of Career Development, 22(2), 147-158.

Hamzah, A. (2019). Career maturity and self-concept: A study of high school students in Medan. Unpublished master's thesis, Universitas Sumatera Utara.

Super, D. E. (1953). Career development: An overview. American Psychologist, 8(5), 165-168.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Role of Self-Concept in Career Maturity

Q: What is self-concept, and how does it relate to career maturity?

A: Self-concept refers to an individual's perception of themselves, including their strengths, weaknesses, values, and goals. A positive self-concept is essential for career maturity as it provides individuals with self-confidence, motivation, and clarity of goals to be achieved.

Q: How can schools support the development of positive self-concept in students?

A: Schools can provide a supportive and motivating environment that encourages students to develop a positive self-concept. This can be achieved by offering career counseling, job shadowing, and internships, as well as providing opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents.

Q: What role do parents and teachers play in facilitating the development of positive self-concept in students?

A: Parents and teachers can play an active role in facilitating the development of positive self-concept in students by providing guidance and support in their career development. They can also offer encouragement and motivation to help students build confidence in pursuing their career goals.

Q: How can self-development programs help high school students in determining appropriate career choices and building strategies to achieve their goals?

A: Self-development programs can help high school students in determining appropriate career choices and building strategies to achieve their goals by providing opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents, and by offering guidance and support in their career development.

Q: What are some common challenges that high school students face in developing a positive self-concept?

A: Some common challenges that high school students face in developing a positive self-concept include:

  • Lack of self-confidence and motivation
  • Uncertainty about career choices and goals
  • Difficulty in building relationships with peers and adults
  • Pressure to conform to societal expectations

Q: How can high school students overcome these challenges and develop a positive self-concept?

A: High school students can overcome these challenges and develop a positive self-concept by:

  • Seeking guidance and support from parents, teachers, and career counselors
  • Exploring their interests and talents through extracurricular activities and volunteer work
  • Building relationships with peers and adults through social and community activities
  • Focusing on their strengths and accomplishments, rather than their weaknesses and failures

Q: What are some strategies that parents and teachers can use to support the development of positive self-concept in high school students?

A: Some strategies that parents and teachers can use to support the development of positive self-concept in high school students include:

  • Providing positive reinforcement and encouragement
  • Offering guidance and support in their career development
  • Encouraging students to explore their interests and talents
  • Helping students build relationships with peers and adults

Q: How can self-concept be measured and assessed?

A: Self-concept can be measured and assessed through various methods, including:

  • Self-report surveys and questionnaires
  • Interviews and focus groups
  • Observational studies and case studies
  • Standardized tests and assessments

Q: What are some implications of the study for career counseling and guidance?

A: The study has several implications for career counseling and guidance, including:

  • The importance of developing a positive self-concept in high school students
  • The need for career counselors and guidance professionals to provide guidance and support in career development
  • The importance of offering career counseling and guidance services to high school students

Q: What are some limitations of the study?

A: Some limitations of the study include:

  • The study was conducted on a small sample of students from one school in Medan
  • The study used a quantitative research method, which may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between self-concept and career maturity
  • The study did not control for other factors that may influence self-concept and career maturity, such as socioeconomic status and family background.