Self-efficacy for occupational activities and professional interests are described, respectively, as the confidence of youngsters in the performance of certain job activities and actions that they would like to carry on. This paper aimed at analyzing the mean differences in self-efficacy, its sources and professional interests regarding gender, school type and scholar grade. 333 students from high school students took part in this research, mean age 15,9 years old, 182 female, who answered EAAOc and SDS that assess self-efficacy and interests. Self-efficacy, classified by Holland types, showed an IRSAEC pattern, while interests showed ESIACR. There were significant differences in self-efficacy, in its sources and in the interests that were related to gender. There were no differences for self-efficacy due to school type or scholar grade. Some sources of self-efficacy and some interest types showed mean differences due to scholar grade and type of school.
Self-efficacy; Social cognitive theory; Professional interests; Professional guidance
