This study investigates the role of soft skills, particularly self-discipline, communication skills, interpersonal relationships and the over-optimism, in the post-college transitions of HVET students in China. The primary objective was to explore how these competencies influence students’ ability to navigate employment and further education trajectories. The research adopted a longitudinal qualitative methodology, including interviews during 15 months with 26 HVET graduates who took different post-college pathways: the school-to-work transition and the college-to-university transition. Data were collected through follow-up semi-structured interviews to capture participants’ lived experiences, challenges, and strategies in managing interpersonal relationships, setting post-college goals, and adapting to new environments. The study highlighted the pivotal role of soft skills, particularly self-discipline and emotional intelligence, in facilitating HVET students’ post-college transitions. Self-discipline supported effective goal-setting and perseverance, while Emotional Intelligence (EI) fostered better communication and conflict resolution, easing workplace integration. Conversely, low self-regulation and over-optimism led to unrealistic expectations, contributing to challenges during the transition. The findings suggest that enhancing soft skills training, with a focus on self-regulation and emotional management, is crucial for improving transition outcomes and helping students navigate the complexities of entering the workforce. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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