Integrating “old” truths and “new” evidence to address people's evolving career counselling needs

Abstract

The article reflects on the current relevance and functionality of career counselling in South Africa and elsewhere, examining the link between career counselling waves, helping models, theoretical foundations, and interventions. An adapted qualitative systematic literature review was conducted to facilitate examination of people's evolving career counselling needs during changes in the workplace with a view to recommend strategies to innovate career counselling in the (post-)post-modern era. Articles for review were selected if they dealt with transformative shifts in the occupational world and workers' lifestyles. The articles were then analysed in the context of shifts in career counselling approaches during the past 120 years. Key findings indicate a need for advocating a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation, integrating accepted but outdated practices of career counselling. They also point to recent research outcomes in career counselling highlighting the implementation of career counselling in future workplaces aimed at helping people understand the need for work-life transformation, social justice, and ethical behaviour. Findings call for innovation and renewal in career counselling for bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and contemporary realities and for offering transformational career trajectories to promote success and fulfilment in the ever-evolving world of work.