Self-Efficacy and Employability: Bridging the Gap Between Learning and Earning

Abstract

Self-efficacy, the belief in one’s own ability to accomplish tasks, plays a crucial role in shaping students’ academic progress and career readiness. This paper examines how a lack of self-efficacy gradually develops across different levels of education and how it becomes a significant factor contributing to unemployment. At the school level, excessive dependence on rote learning, exam pressure, and limited encouragement for creativity or independent thinking weaken students’ confidence. By the college stage, gaps between theoretical knowledge and practical application become evident, leaving students unsure of their abilities. At the undergraduate level, this lack of confidence often translates into poor communication, hesitation in decision-making, and an inability to meet workplace expectations, resulting in low employability despite holding degrees. The paper further analyzes the causes of poor self-efficacy, including rigid teaching methods, a lack of mentorship, inadequate skill-based training, and limited exposure to real-life challenges. It then discusses the consequences, which include underemployment, job insecurity, and reduced professional growth. The findings offer insights into how students perceive their readiness for the world of work. The paper suggests recommendations, including introducing activity-based learning in schools, strengthening career guidance at the college level, integrating internships and soft-skill training at the undergraduate level, and providing mentorship programs to build resilience and self-belief.