Dimensions of Career Decisions: A Validated Tool for Romanian High School Students

Abstract

The present study aimed to develop and validate a brief, two-factor scale assessing career decision-making in high school students. The scale captures the following two key dimensions: (1) access to resources and exploration of career options and (2) career choice self-efficacy. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on data from a sample of 778 Romanian high school students. The results supported a two-factor structure with good internal consistency and construct validity. Measurement invariance across gender revealed configural invariance, although metric and scalar invariance were not confirmed, suggesting potential differences in how male and female students interpret career decision constructs. No significant gender differences emerged in mean scores, yet students in technological educational tracks reported significantly greater access to career-related resources than their peers in theoretical and vocational profiles. These findings underscore the scale’s sensitivity to educational context and its potential utility in comparative studies and needs assessments. Future research should examine the scale’s predictive validity, longitudinal stability, and cross-cultural applicability. This tool offers a practical means to assess career decision-making processes and inform targeted interventions in educational and counselling settings.