The aim of this research was to study the relationship between
biculturalism, with bilingual proficiency as a mediating factor, and
the career maturity of Korean-Australian adolescents. For this end,
a sample of 383 Korean-Australian middle and high schoolers who
live in Sydney were surveyed (190 male and 193 female students).
The questionnaire included questions about the participant’s spoken
language at home, the level of conversation they had with their
parents about career, and so forth, that focused on the collection of
individual sociological data of the participants pertaining to their
biculturalism, bilingual proficiency, and career maturity. The results
were as follows: There was a correlation between biculturalism and
bilingualism with the degree of career maturity. Biculturalism
directly influenced career maturity and its effect was mediated by
the bilingual proficiency.
In conclusion, in order to improve the career maturity of Korean
adolescents growing up in a bi-cultural environment, Korean
community organizations need to develop and offer a variety of youth
programs to improve their biculturalism and bilingual proficiency.