Big Five Personality Predictors of Career Readiness Among Agricultural Graduate Students

Muhammed Amina; Safna Vatakke Kandy Meethal; P K Smija; Manju Mary Paul; Allan Thomas

doi:10.48165/IJEE.2026.62110

Authors

Muhammed Amina PG Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Safna Vatakke Kandy Meethal Agricultural Officer, Agriculture Development and Farmers welfare Department, Government of Kerala, Kerala
P K Smija Assistant Professor, Agricultural Extension Education, RARS(SZ), Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Manju Mary Paul Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Allan Thomas Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala- 695522.

https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2026.62110

Keywords:

Agricultural graduates, Big five personality traits, Career readiness, Employability, Gender differences

Abstract

Personality traits greatly influence how a graduate selects, adapts, grows and flourishes in their professional career path. The study conducted in 2025 examined the relationship between personality traits and career readiness among 120 final year agricultural graduates of Kerala Agricultural University, corresponding to a ±8% margin of error at a 95% confidence level, using the Big Five Personality framework. Results showed higher mean scores in agreeableness (3.68) and openness (3.40), with no significant gender differences (p > 0.05). Analysis identified agreeableness (β = 0.354, p = 0.001), openness (β = 0.390, p = 0.004), and conscientiousness (β = 0.300, p = 0.021) as significant predictors of career readiness. Correlational analysis showed positive associations between agreeableness (r = 0.728, p < 0.01), openness (r = 0.665, p < 0.01), and conscientiousness (r = 0.413, p < 0.05) and career readiness. Independent-samples t-tests showed no significant gender differences across the Big Five traits at the 5% level. However, conscientiousness (d = 0.45) and neuroticism (d = –0.54) showed moderate effect sizes, indicating practical gender-based differences. The study highlights the value of soft skills, industry exposure, and personal and career development programmes in enhancing agricultural graduates’ career readiness and competence.

Author Biographies

Muhammed Amina, PG Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

PG Scholar (email: am2732264@gmail.com), Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Safna Vatakke Kandy Meethal, Agricultural Officer, Agriculture Development and Farmers welfare Department, Government of Kerala, Kerala

Agricultural Officer, Agriculture Development and Farmers welfare Department, Government of Kerala, Kerala (email: safnayoosufvkm@gmail.com)
P K Smija, Assistant Professor, Agricultural Extension Education, RARS(SZ), Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Assistant Professor, Agricultural Extension Education, RARS(SZ), Vellayani,Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (email: smija.pk@kau.in)
Manju Mary Paul, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (email: manju.paul@kau.in)
Allan Thomas, Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala- 695522.

Professor and Head (email: t.allan@kau.in), Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

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