The vulnerable environment hinders our voluntary take-off in every aspects of our life.
Students influenced by enduring socialization and operant conditioning in harsh environments may
prioritize their behavioral references in present time and delay their preparation for the future. The
purpose of this study is to explore the mediating role of present-orientation in the relationship
between vulnerability of family and school environment and career indecision, and investigate the
offsetting function of educational welfare policy against the relationships. This study targets at
senior students of middle school which is a critical stage in career decision. We found a
significant mediating role of student's present-orientation in the relationship between vulnerable
environment and career indecision. Our findings signify that vulnerable environments structurally
make students acquire and embody present-orientation, and their career indecision reflects on
internalized preferences, thought, and schema over time-orientation. Moreover, educational welfare
policy mitigates the relationships between vulnerable environment and present-orientation and
between present-orientation and career indecision. It signifies that educational welfare policy
offsets a negative influence from vulnerable environment and prevents students from being sunken
in present by having them explore their future career and rehabilitate their resilience. Further, the
mediating role of present-orientation means that career decision for vulnerable students cannot be
considered only a cooling process being realistic regardless of their potential. Vulnerable students
need a heating process that holds a fantasy for restricted career and motivates them to climb
higher status.