How online community experience influences career decision-making self-efficacy

This study explored the association of online community experience with perceived career reality and career decision-making self-efficacy. We collected 298 valid questionnaires from a convenience sample of university graduates who had joined their university’s online community for career development. The research results showed that three elements of online community experience (information experience, entertainment experience, and interaction experience) were positively associated with perceived career reality, which was, in turn, positively associated with career decision-making self-efficacy. In addition, perceived career reality had a mediating effect in the relationship between online community experience and career decision-making self-efficacy. This research provides a perspective for educators to make use of internet platforms to enhance students’ career decision-making self-efficacy.