The current study tested the link between gender perception, career optimism, and career adaptability, and the mediating role of personal growth initiative in this relationship. Multi-stage sampling was used to determine the sample. A total of 2255 undergraduate students (1238 females and 1017 males) from a large state-funded university in Turkey participated in this study. Data were collected via Career Futures Inventory, Gender Perception Scale, Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II, and Personal Information Form. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypothesized model. Path analyses revealed the association of egalitarian gender perception with career optimism and career adaptability, mediated by personal growth initiative. As a result, students with high egalitarian gender perception scores are likely to have a higher degree of personal growth initiative that will result in enhanced career adaptability and optimism.