Every Australian deserves access to resources that raise their career aspirations, achievements, and lifelong prosperity. Currently, Australians do not have fair and reasonable access to career development interventions and services that stand ready to enable their lifelong careers. The following extract showcases the latest findings into Australian Career Development research.
It is widely evidenced that individuals make better decisions when they are confident of their own sense of career identity and understand the supports and barriers affecting their future. A recent report “Career Development Works” summarises research evidence of the effectiveness of professional career development interventions and services.
The report completed by ACCELL was commissioned by the Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA), to investigate the benefits of investing in professional career development practices. As a Professional Member of CDAA and I contributed to this research in late 2019. The evidence informs clients and government choices about current best practices within the career development field. The report draws upon two sources of evidence. First, the report summarizes international evidence published in peer-reviewed research journals. And second, it presents
A key takeaway from the report is that personalised career interventions involving Career Development practitioners are the most effective. Career interventions highlight the crucial contribution of the working partnership between a practitioner and their client. However, evidence affirms the special impact of one-on-one interventions and, notably, that career counseling/coaching has long-term positive effects.
In the report I recommend viewing the summary Infographics on Page 6 and 7. As a professional career coach, my own comments are noted on Page 9. Furthermore, below are some important research findings:
Job Search
- Job search interventions are effective. Clients are 2.67 times more likely to secure a job with the support of a qualified career development practitioner.
- Encouraging proactivity, promoting goals setting, and enlisting social support were highly rated interventions.
- The odds of success are higher for interventions that target proactivity, goals setting and enlisting social support. In addition other tools that are effective include training/coaching for improved self-presentation, job search skills, and boosting self-efficacy.
Career Development Interventions
- One or a variety of interventions such as dialogue, workbooks, and self-reporting may be utilised to good effect.
- Personalised career interventions are the most effective.
- Computer-based interventions alone have the least effect, but their effect is enhanced by the presence of a practitioner.
- Teachers and families play a crucial role in the career decisions of students.
Meaningful Work
- Evidence shows that the most important work-related outcomes are associated with meaningful work engagement, work commitment, and job satisfaction.
- There is also clear evidence of links among quality employment and mental health, unemployment, and mental illness.
In conclusion, if you are ready to find meaningful work or seek out a new career, then reach out for professional assistance. It could be the best self-investment you make this decade!