THE POWER OF PROACTIVITY: ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET AS A LINK BETWEEN PERSONALITY AND EMPLOYABILITY

Abstract

With a specific interest on the mediating effect of an entrepreneurial mindset, this research aims to explore the role of technological adaptability, emotional intelligence and proactive personality for the employability of graduate students. Sustainability in employment is framed in terms of being fit for work and the careers to which students are released, reflecting the responsiveness of new work environments. The participants in this study were 400 graduate students, who were obtained through a convenience sampling technique offering accessibility and plausibility in terms of data collection. All the independent variables significantly contribute in determining employability. Adaptability to new technology provides students with the digital fluency necessary for today's growing tech-based fields. Emotional Intelligence enhances interpersonal effectiveness (enhanced teamwork, communication, leadership) of the individual. A proactive style encourages the taking of initiatives, something that employers want in graduates who can be independent and creative. The mediation of the entrepreneurial mindset -- which in turn can operate as an enhancer of the effects of these personality traits on employability -- is proposed. It is a blend of the emotion of opportunity, the grit of resilience, the mindset of innovation that connects what is learned in academia with actual practice in industry. A foundational component in fostering this mindset is entrepreneurial education, which gives students the tools to think critically and solve problems. Also, family support leads to more confidence in and emotional resilience by students, and strong social networks offer connections and opportunities—all of which endorse a stronger entrepreneurial orientation. The entrepreneurial mindset is a strong mediator in the relationship between the independent variables and employability, thus an important fact that amplifies the positive effect of human resources or resources on the environment. All direct and indirect hypotheses should be supported, providing a holistic account of how internal capacities and external condition help to combine to enhance graduate employability. These results have practical implications for educators, policy makers, career development practitioners, and others who attempt to help students adequately prepare for successful entry into the workforce.

Keywords: Technological adaptability, Emotional intelligence, Proactive personality, Entrepreneurial mindset, Employability.