The Transition from Academic Life to a Professional Career: The Role of Fear of Failure

Abstract

The university-to-work transition is a developmental phase requiring resources that promote career adaptation. This study examined how fear of failure, courage, and proactive personality shape career adaptability among 370 students approaching workforce entry (mean age = 23.01 years, SD = .89). Structural equation modeling tested direct, indirect, and moderated relationships. Fear of failure negatively predicted courage and career adaptability, whereas courage positively predicted career adaptability. Courage partially mediated the relationship between fear of failure and career adaptability. Furthermore, proactive personality moderated the negative association between fear of failure and courage: this association was weaker at higher levels of proactivity. The negative indirect effect of fear of failure on career adaptability through courage was attenuated among more proactive students. These findings highlight courage as a key mechanism and proactive personality as a protective resource during the university-to-work transition, with implications for career counseling and sustainable development.