Closing the Gap in Career Selection Pathways: Factors that Influence Career Indecision of High School Students in the US.

Based on Donald Super’s Developmental Self-Concept theory, Osipow’s theory of career development, Crite’s career maturity theory, and Bandura’s social cognitive theory; this study observes the impact of Self-Efficacy (specifically Career Decision Self-Efficacy) on Career Indecision in high school students of the United States by applying the Career Decision Self Efficacy scale (CDSE) (Taylor and Betz, 1983), and the Career Decision Scale (CDS) (Osipow, 1987) to a sample 250 high school students. A comprehensive study of the major theories related to career development is performed as well as an analysis of relevant factors that impact career decision. When applied in educational and psychological contexts, the findings of this study provide several additions to the extensive body of studies related to Career Decision Self-Efficacy and Career Indecision. Furthermore, data analysis performed sustains that the Career Decision Self Efficacy scales should be taken as a whole unit and that there is a significant difference in the impact of Self-Efficacy Planning on Career Indecision in female students over male students. Recommendations for further research as well as observations are included accordingly.