The transition from higher education to professional employment has become increasingly complex due to rapid technological advancements, evolving workplace expectations, and global labor market competition. While academic achievement remains an important indicator of student success, employers increasingly value behavioral competencies such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, leadership, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and professional ethics. These competencies significantly influence graduates\' ability to integrate into professional environments and sustain long-term career growth. The present study investigates the relationship between behavioral competencies and career readiness among graduating students from different academic disciplines.
A quantitative research design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to 220 final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students from public and private universities. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between behavioral competencies and career readiness. The findings revealed that communication skills, teamwork, adaptability, and emotional intelligence demonstrated strong positive associations with career readiness. Leadership ability and problem-solving skills also emerged as significant predictors of students\' confidence in securing employment and succeeding in workplace environments. Furthermore, students with higher behavioral competency scores reported greater preparedness for professional responsibilities and organizational expectations.
The study highlights the importance of integrating behavioral competency development into higher education curricula through experiential learning, internships, leadership programs, career counseling, and skill-based training initiatives. Strengthening these competencies can bridge the gap between academic knowledge and workplace expectations, ultimately improving graduate employability and career success. The findings provide valuable insights for educators, university administrators, policymakers, and employers seeking to enhance graduate career readiness in an increasingly competitive employment landscape.