Social justice and geographical location in career guidance

Abstract

In the twenty-first century technological innovation and globalisation have changed the world we live in. Air travel has made it possible to be on the other side of the world in a matter of hours, and communications technology has allowed us to connect instantaneously with other communities through the telephone and internet. In addition, a globalised economy and the rise of international corporations means that towns and cities throughout the world have the same global brands in every high street. In this context it is possible to believe that the world is shrinking, and that geographical location is becoming less important in consideration of the career development of individuals. However, as Massey points out, although this global rhetoric dominates it actually represents only a particular form of aspatial globalisation which is associated with neoliberal capitalist ideology (Massey, 2005). In this representation, space is represented as ‘free’, unboundaried and is discursively linked to the neoliberal ideology of free trade and the free movement of goods and services across national boundaries (Harvey, 2006 ; Massey, 2005). In order to consider the role of geography in social justice and careers guidance this chapter will begin with a critique of neoliberal concepts of global space, and identify the continuing importance of space in terms of the geographical spread of opportunities. The notion that restrictions in local access to employment can be overcome through geographical mobility will then be critiqued, before the chapter moves on to presenting a critical spatial perspective on career development and identifying some key issues for career guidance services and professionals.