Eksplorasi Motivasi Mahasiswa dalam Merencanakan Karier Pascakelulusan

Abstract

Perencanaan karier mahasiswa merupakan aspek kritis dalam mempersiapkan keberhasilan pascakelulusan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengeksplorasi motivasi mahasiswa dalam merencanakan karier dan faktor-faktor yang memengaruhinya. Menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif fenomenologis dengan metode Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), penelitian melibatkan dua mahasiswa semester 5 yang sedang menjalani program magang. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi naturalistik dan wawancara semi-terstruktur untuk mendapatkan gambaran mendalam tentang pengalaman subjek. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perencanaan karier dipengaruhi oleh faktor internal dan eksternal. Subjek pertama lebih menekankan dukungan sosial keluarga dan evaluasi diri untuk menetapkan tujuan karier. Sementara itu, subjek kedua lebih memprioritaskan pengembangan keterampilan teknis, personal branding, dan pemanfaatan teknologi. Kedua subjek menggarisbawahi peran kesadaran diri, adaptabilitas, dan proaktivitas sebagai kunci dalam membangun karier yang sukses. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa keberhasilan perencanaan karier membutuhkan keseimbangan antara evaluasi diri, kemampuan beradaptasi terhadap perubahan, dan dukungan institusional, seperti bimbingan karier, pelatihan keterampilan, serta akses teknologi. Institusi pendidikan memiliki peran strategis dalam memfasilitasi mahasiswa agar lebih siap menghadapi tantangan global di dunia kerja.

Career planning is a crucial aspect of preparing students for post-graduation success, particularly amid the high unemployment rate among university graduates and the increasing competitiveness of the job market. This condition highlights the importance of career readiness during the academic period. This study aims to explore students’ motivations in career planning and the factors influencing them. The research employed a qualitative phenomenological approach using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as the analytical method. The study involved two fifth-semester students who were currently undertaking internship programs. Data were collected through naturalistic observation and semi-structured interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of the participants’ lived experiences. The findings indicate that career planning is influenced by both internal and external factors. The first participant emphasized the importance of family social support and self-evaluation in determining career goals. Meanwhile, the second participant prioritized the development of technical skills, personal branding, and the utilization of technology. Both participants highlighted self-awareness, adaptability, and proactivity as key elements in building a sustainable career. The study concludes that successful career planning requires a balance between self-evaluation, adaptability to change, and institutional support such as career guidance services, skills training, and access to technology. These findings imply that educational institutions need to develop integrated career readiness programs to better prepare students for global workforce challenges.