SOFT SKILLS AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXPERIENCE AS DETERMINANTS OF STUDENTS’ EMPLOYABILITY

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of soft skills and organizational experience on students’ employability. The research uses a quantitative approach with survey data collected from 104 respondents. The variables include soft skills (communication, teamwork, adaptability, leadership, and professionalism), organizational experience, and employability. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25 with a series of tests, including validity, reliability, normality, multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, multiple linear regression, F-test, t-test, and the coefficient of determination (R²). The results show that all instruments are valid and reliable, with Cronbach’s Alpha values of 0.900 for soft skills, 0.906 for organizational experience, and 0.915 for employability, indicating high internal consistency. The regression results reveal that soft skills have a positive and significant effect on employability (β = 0.985; Sig. = 0.000), while organizational experience has a negative but not significant effect (β = –0.059; Sig. = 0.223). The coefficient of determination (R² = 0.889) indicates that 88.9% of students’ employability can be explained by soft skills and organizational experience, while the remaining 11.1% is influenced by other factors not included in the model. These findings emphasize that soft skills play a dominant role in enhancing students’ employability compared to organizational experience. Therefore, universities should focus on developing students’ soft skills through training and academic activities to prepare graduates who are ready to enter the workforce.