Redefining ‘Careers’ and ‘Sustainable Careers’: A Qualitative Study with University Students

Angela Russo, Robert G. Valls-Figuera, Andrea Zammitti () and Paola Magnano
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Angela Russo: Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Robert G. Valls-Figuera: Department of Mètodes d’Investigació i Diagnòstic en Educació, Universitat de Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Andrea Zammitti: Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Paola Magnano: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University, Cittadella Universitaria, 94100 Enna, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 24, 1-14

Abstract: Contemporary society challenges traditional linear career progressions with the emergence of the ‘sustainable career’ concept. This dynamic career path spans different societal domains over time and involves individuals actively shaping their paths through actions and the interpretation of their experiences. The evolving socioeconomic contexts demand a reevaluation of career development processes, necessitating an examination of individual perspectives on what makes a career authentically sustainable. Despite this, in the Italian and Spanish contexts, a definition of the concept of career and sustainable careers rooted in individuals’ interpretations is still absent. This qualitative study is designed to fill the existing gap by exploring the definition of the concepts of ‘career’ and ‘sustainable career’ in an initial sample of Italian (N = 197) and Spanish (N = 193) students (323 females, 67 males) aged 18–30 years (M = 20.13; SD = 2.13). Participants answered open-ended questions about ‘career’ and ‘sustainable career’. Qualitative data analysis software identified key themes, and correspondence analysis explored differences between the Italian and Spanish samples. The findings reveal that the concept of a career encompasses an evolving sequence of work experiences, incorporating training pathways, a continuous commitment to personal growth goals, and professional satisfaction. A sustainable career extends this, emphasizing a healthy work–life balance and the often-overlooked dimension of social empowerment. This study offers a perspective for designing research and interventions aimed at promoting careers and work environments perceived as authentically sustainable.

Keywords: career; sustainable career; qualitative study; cross-cultural comparison (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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