Occupational future time perspective and employability: the role of decent work perceptions in Chinese college students.

Introduction: This study explores the relationships between occupational future time perspective (OFTP) dimensions-focus on opportunities, perceived remaining time, and focus on limitations-and employability among Chinese college students, with a particular focus on the mediating role of decent work perceptions. Method: The sample included 1,976 students from various universities across China. Results: The findings reveal that focus on opportunities and perceived remaining time are positively associated with employability, both directly and indirectly through higher perceptions of decent work. In contrast, focus on limitations shows a weak negative association with employability, both directly and via its association with lower perceptions of decent work. Discussion: These results indicate that future-oriented career thinking and perceptions of decent work are closely related to employability outcomes. Practical implications include the need for curriculum reforms that strengthen students' proactive engagement in career planning and self-directed learning, while also promoting psychological resources that help them maintain positive outlooks. For college counselors, these findings underscore the value of fostering self-efficacy, promoting exploratory career behaviors, and helping students build realistic and optimistic perceptions of decent work to enhance their career readiness. By addressing these factors, Chinese colleges can better prepare students for meaningful and sustainable careers in a competitive labor market.