Forschungsprojekt gefördert durch das Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation; Berufsbildungsforschung

Research questions

Due to the increasingly dynamic labor market accelerated by digitization, individuals need to self-direct their careers over their entire working life by engaging in diverse career self-management (CSM) behaviors, such as continuous learning, exploring career options, or networking (Hirschi, 2018). This seems especially true in the context of vocational education and training (VET) in Switzerland where individuals usually complete a first vocational training at a comparatively young age, but will experience large changes to skill requirements throughout their careers. In such cases, individuals need to continuously maintain and develop their employability, deal with career challenges and utilize opportunities over a long career. The present project aims to provide new scientific knowledge on the meaning, measurement, and promotability of CSM that should be highly useful to assist individuals in lifelong CSM. Specifically, the present project aims to address the following general research questions: (1) What different types of CSM behaviors do people use to self-direct their careers?; (2) how are different types of CSM behaviors differently related to theoretical antecedents, correlates, and outcomes?; (3) how can CSM be systematically promoted with online interventions?

Hypotheses

We expect that people engage in a vast array of CSM behaviors that can be meaningfully categorized as CSM behaviors that aim at building resources (i.e., approach behaviors) or reducing demands (i.e., avoidance behaviors), and can be targeted at the career actor or the environment. Moreover, we expect that different forms of avoidance CSM are negatively and different forms of approach CSM positively related to employability, career adaptability, and subjective career success, as well as other personal and contextual resources and positive outcomes. We moreover expect that career self-efficacy, career goal clarity, and engagement in CSM behaviors can be systematically promoted by short online interventions, and more specifically that an increase in career self-efficacy and career goal clarity promotes an increase in CSM behaviors.

Research design

To address these questions, the present project will encompass three interrelated, multi-method studies. Specifically, this project will (1) undertake a systematic literature review to better understand the nature of CSM; (2) develop and validate a new measurement scale to assess CSM behaviors; and (3) conduct and evaluate two brief online interventions to assess the possibility of systematically enhancing CSM.

Instruments

We will apply a range of established self-report measures. In addition, we will develop and evaluate a new measurement instrument for CSM. 

Objectives

The project will provide important novel insights into how people self-manage their careers by applying different CSM behaviors, which are pivotal for coping with the challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities of increasing labor market dynamics. Moreover, this project lays the foundation for follow-up projects that more closely examine the processes, as well as the facilitating and inhibitory conditions, of CSM over time, including developing and evaluating full-scale online-assisted interventions to promote CSM.

Sought after benefits for the steering and further development of VPET and VPET research

The present project will offer important insight to support the continued success of VPET in Switzerland. It contributes to the systematic development and evaluation of career interventions to assist individuals in lifelong career self-management. Specifically, by providing new knowledge on the meaning, measurement, and promotability of CSM, it will help to support key strategic goals in VPET: the ability of workers to maintain sustainable employability over their careers, shape their careers according to individual preferences and life circumstances, and capitalize on the flexibility offered by the Swiss VPET system. 

Weiterführende eigene Publikationen mit Bezug zum Projekt

Hänggli, M., Marciniak, J., Hirschi, A. (2019). Die Rolle von Karriere-Ressourcen für eine lebenslange Laufbahngestaltung. Dvb forum: Fachmagazin des Deutschen Verbandes für Bildungs- und Berufsberatung e.V., 1, 4-8.

Hirschi, A. (2018). The fourth industrial revolution: Issues and implications for career research and practice. Career Development Quarterly, 66, 192-204. doi:10.1002/cdq.12142

Hirschi, A., Nagy, N., Baumeler, F., Johnston, C. S., & Spurk, D. (2018). Assessing key predictors of career success: Development and validation of the Career Resources Questionnaire. Journal of Career Assessment, 26(2), 338-358. doi:10.1177/1069072717695584

Wilhelm, F., & Hirschi, A. (2019). Career self-management as a key factor for career wellbeing. In I. L. Potgieter, N. Ferreira, & M. Coetzee (Eds.), Theory, Research and Dynamics of Career Wellbeing. (pp. 117-137). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.