Career Development - Challenges and Opportunities in Contemporary Societies

The world of work is undergoing profound and complex change. Technological development, demographic change, increasing global mobility and the growing demand for social justice are changing the way careers are understood, constructed and maintained in all areas of society. In this context, the notion of career development needs to move beyond the traditional framework to include intersectionality, equality, diversity and inclusion, and the complex interplay between personal aspirations and structural conditions. This book brings together a collection of interdisciplinary and international contributions that shed light on career development from different perspectives. It is organised in two complementary sections. The first section, "Trends in Career Development ", examines the evolution of career development in different life stages and societal contexts. These chapters provide insights into the changing landscape of careers and the skills required to navigate it - from childhood learning to intergenerational differences in how work is valued and the digital disruption artists are experiencing. They emphasise the need for adaptable, lifelong approaches to vocational education that respond to rapid socio-technological change. The second section, "Equality, diversity and inclusion and career development in today’s world", focuses our attention on the role of inclusive practises and institutional policies in shaping equitable career outcomes. These chapters analyse the impact of the climate of organisational diversity, employee wellbeing and the European Union’s strategic push for equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). They show how structural inequalities — and efforts to reduce them— - have a direct impact on opportunity, retention and productivity in the workplace. The contributions in this volume make a compelling case for rethinking career development as an integrative, interdisciplinary field of research and practise. By drawing on sociology, psychology, education, economics and organisational studies, this book aims to promote a more nuanced, comprehensive and forward-looking understanding of what it means to have a meaningful career in the 21st century. This book will serve as a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners and policy makers working to create more equitable and sustainable pathways for career development in diverse and changing societies.