Career adaptability, calling and the professional competence of social work students in China: A career construction perspective

•We examined antecedents of career competence of social work students in China.•Career adaptability positively predicts professional competence through calling.•Career-oriented learning environment positively predicts professional competence.•Effect of calling is stronger when career-oriented learning environment is lower.

Based on career construction theory, the current research examined individual and contextual predictors for the professional competence of Chinese undergraduates majoring in social work (N = 270). Results showed that career concern and career curiosity predicted social work students' professional competence, with these relations mediated by the calling in social work. It was also found that the positive effect of calling on professional competence was stronger among students who perceived a lower level of career-oriented learning environment. The corresponding moderated mediation model was supported such that the indirect effects of career concern and career curiosity on professional competence were stronger among students who perceived a lower level of career-oriented learning environment. These findings carry implications for research on career construction theory, as well as career education and career counseling practices.