Effect of personality traits on career adaptation skill: A research on university students

This research was conducted in order to investigate the personality traits and career adaptation ability as well as sub-dimensions on senior year university students. In this study, it was attempted to determine the effect of personality traits of senior year university students on career aptitude ability. In this research, the data were collected by a questionnaire applied to 412 students studying at Çağ University and Çukurova University. The questionnaire consists of a 30-item Quick Big Five Personality Scale, a 24-item Career Aptitude Ability Scale, and questions about demographic information. The data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 22.00. It was observed that the averages of career adaptation skill and its sub-dimensions differed significantly among universities, and the averages differed partly in personality traits sub-dimensions. As a result, it was determined that extraversion, responsibility, emotional balance and openness to experience sub-dimensions of personality traits had an effect on career adaptation skills. As a result of multiple linear regression analysis conducted, the rate of explaining career adaptation skill where personality traits are dependent variable, was found to be R2=0,288. This result shows that 28,8% of career adaptation skill variable can be explained by personality traits. In addition, it was determined that extroversion, responsibility, emotional balance and openness to experience sub-dimensions of personality traits had an impact on career adaptation skill. It indicates that 14,1% of the change in career adaptation can be explained by extraversion, 25,9% with responsibility, 11,1% with emotional balance and 26,7% with openness to experience. Keywords: Personality Traits, Career Aptitude Abilities, University Students