Exploration of career adaptability in young adults’ unemployment to re-employment transition

Abstract

This study reports a qualitative understanding of eight unemployed young adults’ (20-28 years) career adaptability analyzed by hybrid approach to thematic analysis through semi structured interviews. Young adults’ unemployment to re-employment was explored by their self -transition in the process of adaptation within a complex system of contextual influences, and in the constantly changing demands of labor market advancements and technological shifts. Data was analyzed by qualitative descriptors of career adaptability under the five dimensions of career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) and Systems Theory Framework (STF). Findings revealed the process of unemployment to re-employment transition analyzing young adults’ adaptation during unemployment; through career construction model of adaptation demonstrating a sequence of adaptive readiness and resources to cope and manage during transition. Adaptability related challenges, concerns, issues, and influences were explored in the process of unemployment to reemployment of adults who lost formal jobs from last 6 months. Perceived contextualized situational challenges, sociocultural influences, psychosocial issues, gender, and age bound restrictions and coping with dynamic labor market advancements emerged in the eleven subthemes through hybrid approach to thematic analysis. Findings reflect on their mix of feelings and confidence during career development to manage transition. Further, adaptation was influenced by perceived psychosocial issues related to fulfilling age and gender bound expectations to get stable jobs due to which they were found frustrated and had negative feelings; explored under control dimension. The coping strategies explored under curiosity dimension (5C’s) to find employment were all technology driven due to which highlights the effect of technology on adaptability. Moreover, their values, perceptions and beliefs about professional self and labor market were restricting them to take the required action during unemployment. They were found socially influenced by family occupational history in managing resources to culturally set expectations of finding a stable government job. As a result, they were found to be less integrated into their career roles. This further provides the theoretical understanding of recursive interaction of career adaptability five dimensions deeply embedded in contextual system and influenced by perceived social factors and the absence of employment counseling and guidance services in the system of influences. Suggestions inform practical implications for employment counseling and future career adaptability research.