PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS: A SURVEY ON THE CURRENT SITUATION AND DEVELOPMENT PATH CONSTRUCTION OF CAREER PLANNING FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE EDUCATION MAJORS AT ZHAOQING UNIVERSITY

Abstract

In this study, a questionnaire survey and structured interviews were conducted to investigate students of the Chinese Language and Literature (Normal) major at Zhaoqing University and to explore the current situation and existing issues in their career planning. The questionnaire was designed based on career development theory and the career adaptability model, consisting of seven dimensions: self-awareness, career awareness and planning, career exploration, goal setting, supervision and management, self-improvement, and interpersonal relationships. A total of 320 questionnaires were distributed using stratified sampling to ensure a balanced representation across all grade levels. Additionally, structured interviews were conducted with 12 students, focusing on three key areas: planning and preparation, work-related abilities, and planning management. Eleven open-ended questions were included to generate deeper insights and triangulate questionnaire data. The findings reveal several deficiencies in students’ career planning, including a gap between awareness and action, utilitarian-oriented career goals and exploration, and a lack of supervision and management strategies. Comparative analysis indicates that gender and grade level have significant effects on career planning outcomes: female students outperform male students in self-awareness, goal planning, and interpersonal skills. Meanwhile, third-year students demonstrate stronger motivation in career exploration and self-management due to their teaching practicum and employment-related pressures. Based on these results, this study suggests that higher education institutions should enhance vocational education systems, strengthen discipline characteristics and practical guidance, and improve curriculum development. In addition, universities should support teachers in helping students cultivate self-planning skills, respond to labor market challenges, and achieve sustainable development in future career pathways.-