Needs analysis for developing a structured career guidance module for pre-university students in Malaysia

Abstract

Career decision-making at the pre-university stage in Malaysia represents a high-stakes transition, yet many students select fields of study with limited systematic guidance, contributing to uncertainty and weak career readiness. Guided by the need to align educational provision with lifelong learning goals and national priorities for skills development, this study conducted a needs analysis to inform the development of a structured career guidance module for pre-university students. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 83 counsellors and education officers serving across pre-university settings (e.g., matriculation colleges, Form Six institutions, and daily schools offering Form Six) via convenience sampling. The Module Needs Analysis Questionnaire demonstrated strong content validity (CVI = .90) and good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .861). Descriptive analyses revealed unanimous agreement that career planning at the pre-university level was important and that structured guidance was necessary (100%). Respondents also reported students’ low awareness of systematic career planning (100%), limited concern about career planning (85.5%), low programme involvement (81.9%), and a tendency to opt out when participation was optional (69.1%). Although existing career programmes were perceived as beneficial, only 27.7% of institutions reported implementing module-based career programmes, indicating a substantial implementation gap. Overall, the findings supported the development of a standardised, theory-informed, and scalable module. The module should prioritise increasing systematic career planning awareness and participation, while addressing key determinants of career decision readiness through constructs commonly emphasised in the literature, including career adaptability, career maturity, and dysfunctional career thinking.