Beyond Academic Achievement: How Co-Curricular Participation Shapes Leadership Readiness and Employability Among College Students

Abstract

The job market has evolved significantly, creating a greater need for students who have the knowledge and skills to lead, communicate, collaborate, and adapt. It is therefore increasingly expected that higher education institutions offer opportunities that help students grow as complete individuals – inside the classroom and out. Co-curricular activities provide significant opportunities for experiential learning, leadership development, and skill building which enhance employability. This study examines the relationship between co-curricular involvement and leadership readiness and employability skills of college students in Delhi. The study draws from the Student Involvement Theory (Astin, 1984) and Experiential Learning Theory (Kolb, 1984) and suggests that co-curricular experiences strengthen leadership self-efficacy, which in turn affects leadership readiness and employability skills. A total of 468 students from different colleges in Delhi were selected for data collection, and the proposed model was evaluated using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results suggest that co-curricular involvement has a significant impact on leadership self-efficacy, leadership readiness, and employability. Leadership self-efficacy and leadership readiness were also found to mediate the relationship between co-curricular participation and employability outcomes. The study adds to the growing body of literature on student development and leadership education and provides practical implications for higher education administrators interested in enhancing the employability of their graduates through meaningful co-curricular involvement.