Career trajectories of young people : examples from the nursing profession

Abstract

The present study sets out to examine the career paths of Maltese young people using the nursing profession as an exemplar. The study explores career development highlighting identity formation and the self in the light of the concept of an emerging adulthood. Using narratives in conjunction with a grounded theory approach, an explanatory framework was developed for the exploration of career trajectories among young people including decision making, career influences and career expectations. Strategies that young people use and adopt to deal with a work identity, commitment and motivation to the career are also outlined. The present study shows the micro and macro conditions influencing career paths of young people indicating how progression into a career evolve and how the identity and the self concept of young people not only inform the progression but are intertwined in the process. Progression takes a rather fluctuating stance starting with an onset which is seen as undesirable upon initiation but gather desirability as escalation ensues. The study findings also reveal that career development occurs through direct experience of environments, role contingencies, and success and failure in one's daily activities. As young people progress in the career, their exposure to the wide variety of experiences and learning settings help them to portray themselves and to engage effectively with the 'project of the self, displaying a capacity to be reflective about their own lives. The findings related to the profession support the idea that young people want to make a difference in their professional career and their goals are to be exemplary workers. The study explores how a fuller understanding of the ways in which career decisions are, and suggests some caution about current policies for careers education and guidance. Given the reality that challenge and opportunity co-exist along the way of meaning-making, career guidance is pivotal for young people to remain open and flexible in launching and implementing their career plans. This study has shed some light into the development of young peoples' career paths through the exploration of contingencies that shaped their trajectories. The study also highlights issues that needs further exploration and makes recommendations for policy, service development and further research.