Connecting Lifelong Learning and 21st Century Competencies to Career Success

In today’s world of rapid changes and uncertainties driven by the advancements of science and technology, it has become imperative for our university graduates to possess lifelong learning attributes and twenty-first century competencies (21st CC) to meet the new demands and challenges of their future career. Supporting individuals’ attributes and competencies will enhance lifelong employability for personal development, competitiveness, and social inclusion. Recognising the importance of bridging lifelong learning and career success of our future graduates, the present study sought to predict career success (career management, adaptability, resilience) from lifelong learning attributes (willing to learn, intrinsic motivation) and 21st CC factors (critical thinking, innovation). Hierarchical regression models were conducted on 899 final-year university students from a Singapore university. Findings suggest that lifelong learning and 21st CC are important predictors for career success. Practical implications and limitations are also discussed.