Article Details
  • Published Online:
    March  2025
  • Product Name:
    The IUP Journal of Soft Skills
  • Product Type:
    Article
  • Product Code:
    IJSS020325
  • DOI:
    10.71329/IUPJSS/2025.19.1.22-36
  • Author Name:
    Michele Ryan
  • Availability:
    YES
  • Subject/Domain:
    Management
  • Download Format:
    PDF
  • Pages:
    22-36
Volume 19, issue 1, March 2025
Emotional Intelligence, Self-Efficacy, and Perceived Employability of Traditional Undergraduate Business Students
Abstract

Emotional intelligence has gained increasing popularity since its definition and subsequent research 30 years ago. Numerous studies have focused on emotional intelligence and undergraduate students, and studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between higher emotional intelligence in students and their academic and mental performance. Undergraduate students have also been the focus of research related to self-efficacy and perceived employability, but those two facets have not been tied together with emotional intelligence. Additionally, managers have noted a skills gap for graduating students entering the workforce, as students seem to be lacking emotional intelligence while thinking they have it insufficient amount. Studying these subjects may be a starting point for academicians to further research the emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and perceived employability of undergraduate students. Additionally, it may support higher education institutions in developing ways to increase those facets of their students in order to best prepare them for employment upon graduation.

Introduction

While preparing undergraduate students for post-college success includes providing them with practical skills and subject-related knowledge, other cognitive skills play a vital role in student success. Organizations are seeking employees with both technical and soft skills; soft skills consist of intrapersonal and interpersonal transferable abilities that “enhance an individual’s interactions, job performance and career development” (Pazhani & Priya, 2012) such as communication skills, leadership, conflict negotiation, strategic management, and emotional intelligence.