Based on the theory of social cognition and career development, this study constructs a mixed research framework, integrating questionnaire survey (N=520) and in-depth interviews (N=30) to explore the interactive effects of occupational identity and social expectations on college students’ employment choices. The study found that occupational identity was significantly positively correlated with employment choice tendency (r=0.672, p<0.001), explaining 45.2% of the variance, with occupational value identity playing the most prominent role. Social expectations were also significantly positively correlated (r=0.589, p<0.001), explaining 38.7% of the variance, with family expectations playing the most critical role. There was a significant interaction effect (β=0.213, p<0.001), explaining an additional 12.8% of the variance. Longitudinal tracking further reveals its dynamic evolution path. Based on this, this study proposes that we should promote the healthy development of occupational identity and guide the formation of reasonable social expectations from multiple dimensions such as education policy, family environment and social support.
