Shaping Beliefs and Career Orientation: Research on the Symbiotic Mechanism of Self-Efficacy and Career Vision in Higher Vocational Students

Against the backdrop of the increasing importance of higher vocational education in cultivating technical and skilled talents, and the challenges faced by vocational college students in terms of insufficient employment competitiveness and lack of intrinsic motivation for career development, this study focuses on the symbiotic mechanism between self-efficacy and career vision among vocational college students. The research findings indicate that the self-efficacy of vocational college students is generally at a medium level, and the clarity of their career vision needs improvement. Moreover, there is a significant positive correlation between the two, and self-efficacy can positively predict career vision. In terms of the symbiotic mechanism, self-efficacy influences career vision at the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral levels, while career vision exerts a counter-effect on self-efficacy through goal orientation and other means. Beliefs play a crucial reinforcing and guiding role in this process. Based on these findings, this study proposes strategies to enhance the self-efficacy and career vision of vocational college students from multiple perspectives, including optimizing curriculum settings, strengthening faculty development, and fostering campus culture in schools; promoting enterprise participation and public opinion guidance in society; and enhancing self-awareness and practical training among students themselves.