Author(s): CHAN, C.C., Institution: NATIONAL TAIWAN NORMAL UNIVERSITY , Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 187

Introduction
High school student-athletes are at a critical stage in their career development. The primary career tasks involve exploring potential paths, clarifying career goals, and making decisions. Many high school student-athletes, however, tend to focus solely on athletic achievements, neglecting the learning and development of other professional skills. This emphasis on athletic performance can lead to more severe career confusion and psychological stress during career transitions than the typical high school student faces. Due to this, they often struggle to make timely career decisions, negatively impacting both their athletic training performance and academic learning. Additionally, it has adverse effects on their overall subjective well-being. Therefore, exploring the factors influencing the career decisions of high school student-athletes and implementing systematic counseling strategies to enhance their career decision-making abilities is crucial. This not only helps reinforce their commitment to sports training but also facilitates a smoother transition into their post-high school careers. The purpose of this study was to examine the career decisions of high school student athletes and factors influencing the process by integrating the concept of calling in a social cognitive model of satisfaction model.
Methods
This study conducted data collection through a questionnaire survey. We adopted a cross-sectional research design, and 600 high school student athletes participated in this study. In total, 505 valid questionnaires were returned. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Results
The results show that our career decision model for high school student athletes has an acceptable fit with the sample data. Affect traits, calling, career self-efficacy, and outcome expectations positively influence career decisions.
Discussion
Career self-efficacy is the most significant factor on high school student-athletes’ career decisions. High school student-athletes with high career self-efficacy have a broader range of career choices, believe in their ability to overcome obstacles, and contribute to an increased expectation of positive outcomes in their future. Moreover, positive emotional trait is not only beneficial for enhancing the confidence of high school student-athletes in achieving career goals and success expectations but also contributes to an increased intention for career decision-making. The research also suggests that when high school student-athletes consider potential educational or career decisions, they are influenced by their expectations of success in certain educational or future career paths. The research findings reveal that enhancement in calling not only helps individuals clarify their career goals but also boosts motivation and confidence in making career decisions. Additionally, individuals with a higher sense of calling tend to be more proactive in exploring possibilities within different professions. Finally, the research findings indicate a positive correlation between calling and outcome expectations. High school student-athletes can derive a sense of purpose and meaning in career development from their life and learning experiences. This not only enhances motivation to pursue career-related tasks but also contributes to an increased sense of direction and achievement in their careers. Importantly, it is a key factor influencing the expectations of outcomes in their career pursuits.