Evaluating career planning preparedness in Bengkulu vocational high school students

: Career planning is an important aspect in the career development process because it will have an impact on the student's future. It is hoped that the existence of Vocational High Schools (SMK) will be a step for the government and schools in providing students who are ready to work. Vocational School is a vocational education institution that has an important role in developing the quality of graduates who are ready to work and respond to the needs and developments of the times. The high unemployment rate in the 15–19-year age group nationally emphasizes that junior high school and high school/vocational school levels are important age phases in formulating future careers. The aim of this research is to determine students' readiness in career planning at Bengkulu Vocational School. The method used is survey research. The instrument developed was an inventory which, using data collection techniques, was distributed to 124 vocational school students via Google Form, which was then analyzed using Rasch modeling. Based on the data obtained, overall self-readiness in career planning for vocational school students is in the high category at 19%, in the medium category at 67%, and in the low category at 14%. Thus, it can be concluded that vocational school students in Bengkulu have not prepared themselves optimally in good career planning. Based on the findings, appropriate management of student career development in schools is needed. So, it will have an impact on students' career maturity. A student's career is not only limited to a choice of job and work, but how students can manage and formulate career plans well so as to achieve career success in the future.


INTRODUCTION
Vocational High Schools (SMK) are one of the vocational education institutions that are required to have graduates who are ready to work and able to answer job market challenges according to their field of expertise.This is in line with SISDIKNAS Law Number 20 of 2003 article 15, that vocational education is secondary education that prepares students in particular to work in certain fields according to their skills.PERMENDKBUD RI No. 34 of 2018, states that vocational school graduates aim to produce skilled workers with abilities in accordance with the demands of the world of work and able to develop their potential in adopting and adapting to developments in science, technology and art.Regulation of the Coordinating Minister (PMK) for Human Development and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia No. 6 of 2022, SMK is an important unit because it is the spearhead in providing education on a competency basis according to the needs of the job market and skills.The Ministry of Industry No. 3 of 2017 has published Guidelines for the Development and Development of Competency-based Vocational High Schools that Link and Match with Industry as a reference for National Vocational Schools.This is to encourage the creation of a skilled workforce in accordance with the needs of the business and industrial world.In order to achieve this goal, the government is targeting the revitalization of vocational education with achievement targets for the implementation of the Link and Match education program between vocational secondary education and partner industries in the world of work.
The vocational school phase is the ideal age in determining the future so maximum career guidance is needed at school .The transition period that occurs in students can be seen at the beginning of adolescence, lasting from the age of 13 -16 years and ending at the age of 17 years, so that the period of adolescence is very short.To be able to compete in the job market, highly competitive graduate competencies are needed.In developing competency standards for vocational school graduates, each student must have competencies that can compete with the global market.The American School Counselor Association (ASCA, 2019) in the domain of student career development requires the role of school counselors in helping students understand the relationship between school and the world of work.Careful career planning will help students achieve goals by assessing potential and needs, especially self-efficacy (Widiyanyo Rhamandani & Lusianah Meinawati, 2023).Vocational school education has different aspects from other schools.Vocational school education provides provisions that can be used for students who are ready to work.Therefore, vocational school education is not only about academic learning, but also post-school career development and preparation (Halida Indrasari, Margiun & Nia Hadianti, 2022).Students' weak understanding of careers will have an impact on career planning which cannot be formulated well by students (Wichy Phadilah Putri, 2023).The results of Kirbi Yelorda et al (2021) and Thomas A Birtch et al (2021) research on post-high school students' self-efficacy only reached 65%, social efficacy 56% and emotional efficacy 19%.This aspect is very supportive of the future, future failure, future planning.The research results of Theofanis Stavros Pappas & Kalliope Kounenou (2011) show that there is a significant correlation between student self-efficacy and career decision making.
Career is a form of achieving a need that cannot be separated from humans throughout life.This is in accordance with the concept of "lifelong career planning" that career planning will always be important throughout a person's life.So career success will be an indicator of success in life.However, it takes a long process for someone to reach maturity in choosing a career.This is influenced by many factors so time and caution is needed in making career decisions.Career counseling is needed to help students understand potential, interests, work values to independently design more effective career plans.Students who are involved in career planning will tend to excel at school and students with high academic achievements will strengthen their future orientation and high optimism.Therefore, there needs to be mutual support between career planning and academic potential.This form of career exploration is a very complex process in achieving career goals.Career decision making is an effort to determine choices from various options in the future (Amirudin, et al. 2023).
Guidance is described as a political process, because it will be a process between individuals and society, between oneself and opportunities and between aspirations and realism.So having a career in a country becomes a very important priority in maintaining the survival of that country.This condition will be proven by the existence of policies prepared based on the future.It is hoped that in the high school phase students will be able to recognize their talents, interests and potential and understand information related to career planning stages and the future they aspire to.This process must begin with a lot of information obtained so that students are able to measure their potential.The first step in the career planning process that students must take is to learn as much as possible about their interests, skills and personal potential because most students during the career planning period do not yet have an understanding of themselves.potential and interest.
The main problem that occurs among vocational school graduates is unemployment and unproductive youth.Apart from individual internal factors, the presence of parents will influence students' attitudes.Young people aged 17-19 years old are attending private vocational high schools as a career transition.The results of research in vocational schools throughout Pekalongan City conducted by Aminnurrohim, et al (2014) show that students have factors that hinder them in career planning, namely psychology and the students' own skills, talents and interests which are influenced by a lack of self-confidence with an average score of 74 % and external factors with an average score of 66% which include family, school, peer and community conditions.Silvi Ardillah & Rini Hayati's research results (2022) show that 55.3% of career decisions are influenced by peers, Mahmoud S Alhaddad (2018) 66.6% by family factors.Nurlia Santy Agustin (2022), the results of her research in the class of Azza Putri Oktaviani, et al (2023) the results of research in the class and were confused about choosing a future career, 24 students (2.14%) did not know the college entrance selection process and 22 students (1 .96%)have minimal information about their profession.This condition illustrates the importance of career planning that students must do from an early age so that it does not become a problem later in life.Students in high school have a big responsibility for their future and career, this period becomes the basis for developing their future after graduating from school (Annida Dahrul, et al. 2022).The future is a period that must definitely be passed and prepared from an early age, this is what causes many students to stress about choices and life.For example, students in Taiwan and Japan cause a lot of stress related to the education phase and career sustainability, which can give rise to career awareness (Shin Ru Liao, 2023).
This survey was conducted to find out how much preparation for career planning vocational school students in Bengkulu have.This is motivated by the still high unemployment rate, especially for vocational school students as educational institutions are prepared to have graduates who are ready to work.Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) for 2022 released, the contributor to national unemployment at the high school education level was 26.80% while at vocational school it was 22.33%.More specifically, Bengkulu Province BPS data for 2021 recorded that the largest percentage of unemployed was in high school/vocational school degrees, namely 19.61% and junior high school was 14.25%.Meanwhile, for undergraduates it is only 5.21%, masters 0.37% and PhD 0.02%.This number indicates that many people are still weak in career development and therefore do not have jobs.The composition of unemployment data for the Bengkulu region in 2020, 2021 and 2022 is still very high and in 2022 the number of developments in unemployment according to gender as of February 2020 -February 2022 will experience ups and downs.The unemployment rate in 2020 was a total of 3.08% with details of 3.06% men and 3.11% women, in 2021 it will increase with the unemployment rate reaching 3.72% with details of 2.82% men and 5.04% of women, while in 2022 there will be a decline with the unemployment rate reaching 3.39% but with details of 3.30% for men (up from the previous year) and 3.52% for women.The research results of Taufik Agung Pranomo, Arip Febrianto & Anidhita (2022) also suggest students' low understanding of careers and career planning.This explanation emphasizes that career guidance in vocational schools has an important role and responsibility for developing students' career plans.So researchers look more deeply into indicators of problems that occur in students' career planning readiness.This is important, because career is not only about the aspect of choosing a job and working, but also how individuals can formulate appropriate career plans so that they can achieve a successful future until retirement.

METHOD
This research uses a survey type method .This research is to clearly describe the actual data obtained in the field related to the career planning readiness of vocational school students in Bengkulu.The research subjects were vocational school students in Bengkulu City who were in class XII.Before conducting the survey, an empirical test was first carried out.Empirical trials were carried out on students at several vocational schools in the city of Bengkulu.

Participant and Sampling
This research was conducted by selecting vocational school students as respondents.The students who were respondents were class XII students consisting of state and private vocational schools in Bengkulu.The population in this study was 870 students.From this population, researchers used a sample of 124 students by random sampling.Determination of sampling using the principle of suitability of the sample size that will be used as a data source so that representative data is obtained regarding the sample size.The sampling technique used is purposive sampling , this is based on considerations of suitability and usefulness in representing the population.This research determines the sample as respondents based on a purposive sampling technique .This aspect is used as a step to determine whether the sample is truly appropriate and can represent the population determined in this study .The samples involved in this research were 124 vocational school students spread across both state and private schools.

Instrumentation
The instrument used in this research is an inventory.The instrument is formulated with aspects and components developed based on the theory used.Next, a rational test was carried out by experts consisting of; career, academic, cultural and linguistic experts.Researchers also carried out readability tests carried out by guidance and counseling teachers from SMK as well as readability tests carried out by several students who had been appointed from SMK.This process is carried out to ensure that the instruments used are reliable and valid.
Empirical trials were carried out using the Rasch model using the Winstep application.Several empirical tests were carried out are Test the validity of the items.Through the Rasch model with the Winstep application, there are several conditions that must be met so that an item can be said to be valid.Some of these requirements are as follows: ( 1 An item can be said to be valid if it is able to fulfill at least 2 of the 3 specified conditions.Testing the validity of the question items has been carried out using the Rasch model by utilizing the Rasch model through the Winstep application.and obtained invalid (not used) items on the instrument with details of 37 items declared valid and 9 items declared valid.
After carrying out the validity test, the instrument is then tested for reliability.The reliability of the instrument was tested through the Rasch model using the Winstep application.Some of the data obtained from instrument item reliability tests include person reliability, Cronbach's Alpha and Item Reliability.The personal reliability results of the instrument are known to be 0.54, which is included in the weak category.while the Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.61 is in the sufficient category and the item reliability value of 0.98 is in the special category).
Unidimensional Test.The final empirical test carried out was the unidimensional test of the instrument.Unidimensional test results of the instrument using the Rasch model using the Winstep application.The results of the dimensional test above on the raw variance explained by the measured part are known to have a value of 39.3%.This condition explains that the instrument has met the minimum requirements for the unidimensional test, namely a minimum of 20%.Apart from that , the unexplained variance in the 1st contrast section is known to have a value of 12.6%.This value also meets the minimum requirements, namely a value below 15% (x < 15%).Based on these conditions, it can be concluded that the instrument has been able to measure the career planning of research vocational school students from respondents.

Procedure
This data collection technique was carried out by distributing instruments in the form of inventories to vocational high school students in Bengkulu.In order to simplify the execution process, the researcher compiled an inventory using a Google form which was arranged with answer choices, namely; 1) very suitable, 2) suitable, 3) quite suitable and 4) not suitable.The inventory that has been compiled in Google form is then distributed via WhatsApp, Line and Instagram.In this process, researchers also collaborated with guidance and counseling teachers in schools in Bengkulu.

Data Analysis
This research was conducted using quantitative descriptive data processing.The data that has been obtained is then collected carefully.After processing the data according to field results, data analysis was carried out.The analysis process was carried out using Rasch modeling of percentage statistical data.

RESULTS
Career planning for vocational school students in Bengkulu based on the results of a survey conducted on each indicator shows that work planning is carried out in the high category 26%, medium 60%, low 15%.Searching for information about the world of work is in the high category 48%, medium 49% , low 3%, Discussing with parents in the high category 29%, medium 62%, low 9%, Discussing with teachers in the high category 9%, medium 88%, low 4%, Participating in tutoring activities at school in the high category 21 %, medium 74%, low 5%,, Participating in course guidance activities at out-of-school institutions in the high category 27%, medium 55%, 19%, Participating in student activities in the high category 23%, medium 69%, low 8%, Participating intra-school organizational activities in the high category 21%, medium 60%, low 19%, Improving skills through internship programs in the high category 15%, medium 72%, low 13% Personal development through training programs to enter the world of work in the high category 43% , medium 57%.In accordance with the research results, for career planning for students in ethnic groups who live and are domiciled in Bengkulu, it can be seen that; Serawai Tribe students in the medium category 67%, low 33%, Rejang Tribe students in the high category 36%, medium 45%, low 18%, Kaur Tribe students in the medium category 100%, Lembak Tribe students in the medium category 80%, low 20%, Tribal students Minang is in the high category 24%, medium 76%, Javanese ethnic students are in the high category 17%, medium category 78%, low 6%, students from other ethnicities are in the high category 21%, medium 62% and low 16%.From this data, it can be seen that students in each tribe in Bengkulu are still not optimal in developing career plans.So it is clear that the content or values contained in culture as a force of local wisdom have not been used as a space and approach for self-development in a future career.This is a problem because existing cultural values actually have many broad meanings and philosophies and can increase encouragement and motivation to become even better.If you look at the data from the survey that the researchers conducted, students' career planning readiness is dominated by the Rejang tribe.The Rejang tribe is the first largest tribe to inhabit the Bengkulu area.This tribe is spread across several areas of Bengkulu such as Rejang Lebong, Central Bengkulu, Kepahiang, North Bengkulu, Lebong and Bengkulu City.The Rejang tribe is also the oldest tribe compared to other tribes in Bengkulu.Based on gender, there are differences in career planning for vocational school students in Bengkulu, namely; men are in the high category with a score of 32%, medium 59% and low 10%, while women are in the high category 13%, medium 71% and low 16%.If we look at the data, it can be seen that there are differences in the development of career planning between female and male students.Male students tend to be better prepared in career planning than female students.This condition gives rise to an understanding of the need for integration between male and female students.In the development pattern, students who are already in high school must have a well-organized life plan so as not to harm themselves and others.Even though there are differences in the tendencies of male and female students, the overall percentage of both is still relatively low.The need for developing career guidance processes in multicultural groups will continue to increase with the increasingly advanced world civilization and the diversity of cultures that exist in society, especially schools.This emphasizes that as more and more multicultural people gain access to education and high-status employment opportunities, the counseling profession must be able to facilitate and assist them in developing their career plans.
The emphasis on the counseling process with cultural diversity leads to counselor competence.The client must be treated with the stereotyped viewpoint that one has about each individual's culture.Counselors must understand that clients from different cultures will have different forms of attitudes, values, beliefs, norms and behavior.Thus, counselors should not assume that clients come from homogeneous groups and ethnicities.Individual culture is learned behavior, in life when there are two people who come from the same ethnicity but there can be more than one attitude, values and norms as well as different cultural structures too.

DISCUSSION
Career planning is a important part of development for both schools and parents, this is because career planning is a continuous process stage and is the core of career guidance services in schools.By conceptualizing life as a series of roles that must be carried out well, everyone has the same opportunities and opportunities to position the future according to the competencies possessed by both men and women and high school students who are at an ideal age do not exist.exception.Doubts arise in careers because they are caused by a lack of learning experience and career information so that they cannot think systematically in making decisions.Career decisions are not only driven by personal will, but are also related to career, economic and social level information that students must know (Dorris Zayzay, Lei Zhang & Peter Davis Sumo, 2023).All students at school will get a lot of information and learning from teachers, but not all students can do what they want to achieve in the future.This condition causes students to become confused after graduating from school and end up in unclear jobs with low education, resulting in unemployment.Students do not yet fully receive clear information regarding realistic career types, namely according to their field of expertise, apart from that, students also lack self-knowledge regarding career interests.A shared role is very necessary in encouraging students to be able to make good career plans and decisions.Career goals and career decision making are difficult aspects of life, especially for students, skills and mature evaluation are needed for each goal taken to achieve life goals (Deanna Gee et al, 2019) The high level of unemployment that occurs in Indonesia is the main factor currently facing the government.Even when compared with lower middle-income countries such as Myanmar, the Philippines, Cameroon, Cambodia, India and Bolivia, the unemployment rate for young people aged 15-24 years is 12.2%, the highest in Indonesia which reaches 18% (Rezki Ashriyana Sulistiobudi & Anissa Lestari Kadiyono 2023).One of the main problems that arises is the high number of young people who are not productive, such as not working, not studying and not going to school.This productivity becomes a big problem when it cannot be resolved at the government or school level.Schools as a place for students to develop themselves to achieve future success become institutions that are very vital in the progress of students.This is because of the role of culture as an aspect that will influence student character.It is hoped that culture can shape good character and be able to help students achieve their potential and development tasks.The formation of culture in students' characters at school refers to the background of students who are born into cultural families and environments.The culture implemented in schools will have a big role in student achievement and success.Teachers in schools are educators who have a role in developing students' potential by providing an approach appropriate to the students' cultural background.With global changes and shifts, it also requires a shift in education so that it is able to answer challenges, especially in helping students' career choices for the future (XU Yan et al 2015).
Students with diverse cultures will gain personal experiences from school, family and the environment which will shape the student's character.Good mutual relationships between school, family and environment will encourage students to have more self-confidence in their careers.Culture with its values and tools is not static, but with various adaptations and symbols, cultural values play a role and follow changes and developments.With the importance of culture in human life, human development that grows in a region cannot be separated from the presence of social culture in every activity.Students will interact with friends from diverse cultures who can provide increased knowledge of themselves and the environment (Antonio Pantoja & Jryosukeose Marcos Resola 2014).
Integrating what students have learned related to the world of work and themselves is a process that will continue afterwards.Because in this position with an age range of 14-24 years, students will decide their future based on their interests and potential.Career is not only a matter of career decisions according to what is expected, but also leads to how students can achieve these decisions, thus the role of career planning is very necessary.Even though career is the individual's personal authority as a career actor, it requires resources that exist outside the individual such as school, parents, friends and the environment (Momoko Kitada & Junko Harada 2019) .Career guidance is very important for both men and women where although they will be limited and follow traditional gender roles related to career, men and women will have equal and broad opportunities for career development in accordance with their potential.Career guidance will help individuals overcome especially the challenges of the competitive world of work.The accuracy of decisions regarding job choices is very important so that they are compatible with career interests.In career development, there needs to be a form of motivational characteristics, talents and interests as well as personality that play a role in supporting the achievement of success in a job.
Departing from the life span theory and adolescent career development requires an appropriate career planning process.This theory focuses on adolescent career development because this period is an important period in career choice.Life -Span Theory focuses on three things namely; 1) content, 2) process, 3) results of career choices and, 4) development throughout human life.According to Super (in Sharf, 2013) Career planning refers to how much a student feels he knows activity information, so it would be very helpful to see not only what the student will do but also what the student thinks he has done.The concept of career planning according to Super includes career exploration, decision making, planning information about the world of work, knowledge about preferred jobs and individual readiness (focusing on individual readiness) through components of individual involvement in job information, talking to adults., take courses, participate in extracurricular activities and obtain training.
In life span theory, it encourages individuals who go through age development to be able to learn career planning, self-confidence and decision-making competence to make appropriate and satisfying career choices and be able to manage them (Steven D. Brown & Robert W. Prapaskah, 2021).This is related to career development in each person's life journey at each stage in accordance with their development tasks.In the primary phase 14-24, in accordance with the Super career ladder model, at this time individuals enter the career exploration stage which focuses on vocation in work roles.
Understanding career feasibility according to potential and making career planning is an important effective step in future achievements.Career planning is a strategic step as a career choice step and needs to be carried out in the educational process which can build and encourage awareness in career formulation (Li Zhen Wei, et al 2021).
Career guidance includes systematic efforts in providing career information, increasing selfawareness, career counseling, job placement and concepts related to work and academics.Individuals who are mature in their careers will automatically be active in career planning and fully involved in every stage.Career intervention is also an important aspect of career development, according to Dunae Brown (2014), several types of intervention that can be used include career guidance, career development, career education, career counseling, career information and career coaching.Students can receive career guidance at school formally and get career information from their families informally.Student career development will stagnate if students lack information and assistance.This is what will make it difficult for students to match and make career decisions when they graduate from school.Student career development will be supported by family, teachers, peers and close friends who can help students adapt more easily to career choices (Rara Anggita, Marsofiyati & Umi Widyastuti, 2023) .
Apart from that, several internal factors such as knowledge, life values and external factors are also important in student career development (Amalina Zatil Aqmar & Dini Rakhmawati, 2022).
The most important key in career development is oneself, because in this position the individual will manage information relating to oneself and the environment in a broad sense.So it is clear that individuals with relevant information and able to interpret it well can choose and decide on career options because they have career maturity.Information is an important aspect in career planning.Novi Wahyu (2014) found that many students only started to move when they were aware of choosing and planning a career so that they did it in a short time and at critical times.This results in inappropriate career choice decisions and will hinder students in their career development.Every choice that has been decided will have an impact on the next life (Sevda Aslan, 2012).Career development for students is not only about choosing a job or working, but how to formulate it carefully and precisely which will have an impact on their future.Most students only get minimal information related to broader careers, on the other hand, students also do not have a coherent career plan, which becomes a big obstacle to their career development.There is a position where the role of school counselors is important in developing career guidance that suits students' needs at school (Claudia Crisan, Anisoara Pavelea, & Oana Ghimbulut, 2014).Career maturity towards the future is a phase that not all individuals can achieve well, this condition becomes difficult for individuals to develop.Rose Mini Agoes Salim et al, (2023) Existence mature way of thinking and beliefs that will be able to build self-confidence and appropriate career adaptations so that career choices can be realized.
There are many factors that can accompany student career planning, both internal and external (Tya Lolita Manik, 2022), which support each other, each factor has its own role and shapes student character and student attitudes.The family has an important role in developing a student's career, this is because the family is a part of the student who will play a big role in determining his child's choices.In this composition students will understand how the family economy works; family support will help students to develop further.On the other hand, regarding career choices, many students discuss with their families in determining the student's career.Amin, et al (2014) career planning is a process carried out by individuals in thinking to deepen career information and self-understanding in broader aspects of work.Fathonah, (2019) career planning as part of systematic activities in career design to achieve realization in future life.Adolescence is an ideal period for career development and it is hoped that you will be able to plan your future career so that you can fulfill your developmental tasks in determining your future career.Vocational school students during their teenage years have a big influence in achieving career maturity.Aspects of career maturity will work well if students can make career decisions independently that cannot be separated from self-understanding (Dena Madisa, et al. 2022).Vocational school students will be faced with various possible life choices such as continuing their studies, the world of work and jobs according to their talents and interests.Job information is very important for students' career planning, so it provides a lot of relevant information.Relevant information will be a consideration for students in decisions and career choices (Ryosuke Mariyasu & Toru Kobayshi 2022; Mohammed A Hussein et al 2023).
Apart from the role of family, the influence of friends' invitations on careers also has a big influence on student development.Colleagues will discuss with each other and convey their respective wishes.In this position, it is not uncommon for students who are still confused and have difficulty making career decisions to follow their friends.The research results of Aminnurrohim, et al (2014) show that there are external factors that have a high influence and influence in determining career planning, namely peer factors which reach 68%.With the influence of peers, especially students in one school, this can have both good and bad impacts.It will have a good impact if it strengthens and motivates students to develop themselves, and students who still lack information and are unsure can also be helped by the presence of peers.However, it can have a negative impact if students are not yet mature in their careers so they only rely on joining in or inviting friends without understanding their talents, interests and potential as well as other factors such as family.The teenage phase is a crucial period in the development of career planning both from a cognitive and practical perspective.Adolescents during their school years will face important decisions regarding their future and career choices.The many challenges currently occurring globally in a world of rapid change have increased creativity and innovation.For this reason, skills and professional staff with existing competencies are needed (Abdellatif Sellami et al, 2023;Keith Duncan, 2023).
Peers who are oriented towards school or work will influence the decisions they will make regarding their future.If the friend is school-oriented, it is likely that the student will be inclined towards further study options, but if the friend is a worker, this will have a big influence on the student's decision to work after graduating from school.So students must also pay attention to their friendship patterns so that they can have a positive influence on their interactions.Insan Suwanto, et al (2021) Indicators of peer influence that arise due to social support and discussion processes for the future.Every individual has the right to determine the future according to his wishes.Students are given the freedom to have information and choose what information they obtain.In this position, students can still change their choices because they are in a career planning position.In career planning, students have sufficient time to gather career information and have aspirations.Every student must be able to make decisions when graduating from school based on self-understanding and conditions.These abilities must be given space from an early age so that students become more mature in planning their careers.Priyatno (2016) stated that career exploration is necessary so that students can formulate career plans correctly.Career exploration is an effort made to obtain information regarding a person's strengths and weaknesses.Meanwhile, Lim (2021) states that career exploration is a person's effort to collect career-related data and then make decisions regarding career choices.The success and maturity of students' careers cannot be separated from the role of guidance and counseling teachers at school.Through the assessment carried out by the counselor, the needs and problems that arise in students will be seen.
In developing career planning, there needs to be external factors that can help students to facilitate career realization.This condition will make students truly ready for the results of the career decisions they make.Students can develop their personal attributes outside of school hours, such as taking courses that support their careers, participating in extracurricular activities that make them more confident, and improving their personal skills .Basically, students are equipped with various kinds of potential, but due to limited space and a lack of teachers and schools, students independently conclude and develop their careers according to what they know.A person's experience will provide good provisions for students to be able to work and make it easier to adapt to the work environment.A pattern of high selfconfidence will direct students to further develop themselves according to their potential and have good management.So having student experience in a particular field helps students to have the ability to choose a career in the future.
planning is a process that includes exploring options and preparing oneself for a career.Insufficient career planning readiness will have an impact on the quality aspects of the resources produced (Ambika Mathur 2023).Careful career planning will make it easier to adapt to a career which is part of career success.Thus, students must have a strong personal character that is not only able to predict the future but can also influence their ability to pursue a career (Zhengzheng Lin & Yanqin Jiang 2023).
Through career planning, individuals will understand their abilities, interests and potential.Apart from supporting factors that influence a person's career development, there are also factors inhibiting the development of students' career planning.This is of course a concern for schools and guidance and counseling teachers in identifying the career development of each student at school.This pattern is a concern in student career development so that these inhibiting factors become incentives as far as possible so as to help student career development.Orientation towards student career development as a young generation at a transitional age really requires the role of counselors in facilitating and helping students to achieve maturity in career planning.Counselors carry out career guidance patterns by exploring the potential cultural values possessed by students.School counselors provide career guidance to students so that students can carry themselves with good control regarding the future.Providing opportunities for students to explore themselves with future and career desires so they can achieve career goals (Anne Kathrin, Antje Schmitt & Barbara Wisse 2021).
Humans are creatures with cultural aspects that will accompany and influence life.So culture cannot be separated from humans as a whole, including a person's career development.The research results of Gulnaz Zahid & Tom Staunton (2022) show that educators are aware of the role of culture in individuals as an important aspect in the career practitioner training process.Culture has a domain that becomes an idea so that it can form a society and become a belief.Humans get their closest cultural values from the family component.This happens because the family is where a child lives.Culture will be able to provide space for someone to explore themselves according to their background and family.
In this way, students will be influenced by their point of view, mindset and personal development in positioning themselves for existing career opportunities.Vocational schools are an educational institution that is different from other upper secondary level educational institutions.Schools are also educational institutions that have large participation through teachers in preparing programs (Rian Aarts et al, 2023), through career guidance in schools they can help prepare students' career decisions (Cassandre R Krier, et al 2021).Vocational school graduates have the advantage of having human resources who are ready to work according to the skills they have.Because the learning process provided is different from other schools.Vocational Schools also provide skills competency training at both national and international levels, so that they are able to have superior competitiveness and be competitive in the world of work and entrepreneurship.As vocational education, SMK views students as individuals who are continuously in the process of developing themselves and their potential.This development process will make students become independent, more mature, more mature individuals as evidenced by mature skills that are ready to work.Students are expected to start designing a lifestyle according to their career interests, this is to support the skills they will have when they graduate from school.There needs to be encouragement for planning and personal development towards work potential and feasibility Chris Ribchester & Helen Mitchell (2014).Many things must be done to encourage students to be more productive.Students need involvement in extracurricular activities that are not only personally beneficial but also useful for career development.Teachers, families, schools and communities have an important role in student development (Linda Hogg, Quincy Elvira & Anne Yates 2023).
Schools are not only concerned with managing education which provides academics to students, but also play a role in personal, social and career development.Schools are considered an important aspect in the sustainability of students' futures.A clear and good management pattern can provide guidance and counseling programs that are right on target.The curriculum as a reference in school education can also provide programs that can increase talents and interests so that in career development students can make career decisions well.Li Zhen Wei (2021) students need to be given the widest possible access to self-development and career choices while at school as a long-term target through the school curriculum.
Human development and growth will continue by forming increasingly competitive forces.So it is necessary to build awareness of lifelong career development.Life career development is characterized by ; self-knowledge and interpersonal skills (understanding oneself and others) and career decisions .Vocational education is not stagnant, but will continue to move and change according to developments in society and the needs of the job market, this is to ensure that students who are prepared truly have the skills needed in the world of work.So it is clear that students are required to be productive with immediate economic value in society.A society with a high unemployment rate will result in low economic value which has an impact on welfare.However, if the unemployment rate is low, the community will automatically have high economic value and productivity.Career planning is an important aspect in student career development, this is a reference for students in future career development.Poor planning will result in inappropriate career decisions.This research provides an illustration for counselors in carrying out good career guidance management in schools.

CONCLUSION
The research findings indicate that vocational school students in Bengkulu exhibit a low level of self-readiness in terms of career planning.This suggests that these students are not adequately prepared for effective career planning, which is a critical aspect of their educational and professional development.Given that vocational schools are designed to produce graduates who are ready for the workforce, it is imperative that these institutions take proactive measures to facilitate and enhance the career planning process for their students.
To address this issue, vocational schools in Bengkulu must implement innovative strategies and breakthroughs.These strategies should aim to provide students with the necessary resources, guidance, and opportunities to engage in meaningful career planning.This could include career counseling services, practical workshops, industry partnerships, and exposure to real-world work environments.
Moreover, the curriculum and teaching methods should be aligned with the demands of the current job market, focusing on skill competency and practical application.This alignment ensures that students acquire the relevant skills and knowledge that employers seek, thereby increasing their chances of career success post-graduation.
In summary, the research highlights a crucial need for vocational schools in Bengkulu to enhance their approach to career planning and preparation.By adopting targeted strategies and aligning their programs with market needs, these schools can better prepare their students for successful careers in an increasingly competitive job market.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Career planning for vocational school students in Bengkulu

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Career planning for vocational school students based on ethnicity in Bengkulu

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Career Planning Readiness of Vocational School Students Based on Gender