Influence of Participation in Case Competitions on Career Decision Self – Efficacy of Students and Young Specialists

In recent years, graduates entering the job market have been required to develop their hands-on skills more actively, and hence many have started to participate in case competitions. Nonetheless, no empirical research has addressed contribution of case competitions to career decision self-efficacy. Therefore, the purpose of this research paper is to explore perceptions of undergraduate students and young specialists on how participation in case competitions influences their career decision self-efficacy using Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale - Short Form (Betz, Klein & Taylor, 1996). The study found that there is a significant difference in CDSE between participants of case competitions and those who have never participated. Nonetheless, involvement in case competitions was more significant for those who had little to no work experience, while in other cases work experience and career choice status were more influential on career decision self-efficacy. Results of the study could contribute to academic research on the topic and help organisers of case competitions improve their quality and efficiency.