THE IMPACT OF HUMAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND LABOR MARKET INFORMATION ON GENERATION Z STUDENTS’ EMPLOYMENT READINESS AND PARENTAL SOCIO ECONOMIC STATUS

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of human capital investment, labor market information, and parental socioeconomic status on Generation Z students’ employment readiness. The study employed a quantitative approach using an explanatory research design. The research was conducted among final-year students of the Economic Education Study Program at Universitas Jenderal Soedirman with a total sample of 96 respondents selected using total sampling techniques. Data were collected through Likert-scale questionnaires and analyzed using multiple linear regression with SPSS software. The results indicate that human capital investment positively and significantly affects students’ employment readiness with a regression coefficient of 0.412 and a standardized beta value of 0.344. Labor market information also demonstrates a positive and significant influence with a regression coefficient of 0.365 and a beta value of 0.256. In addition, parental socioeconomic status positively affects employment readiness with a regression coefficient of 0.287 and a beta value of 0.317. Simultaneously, all independent variables significantly influence employment readiness with an F-value of 32.517 and a significance level of 0.000. The coefficient of determination (R²) value of 0.648 indicates that 64.8% of the variation in students’ employment readiness can be explained by the independent variables. The findings suggest that competency development, access to labor market information, and family support are important factors in improving Generation Z students’ employment readiness.