Examining contemporary careers: A call for interdisciplinary inquiry

2008/02/01 by Michael B. Arthur · 233 citations
Engineering · Social Sciences · #Conversation #Engineering #Engineering ethics #Gender Diversity and Inequality #Higher Education and Employability #Innovative Education and Learning Practices #Political science #Public relations #Social science #Sociology

paper · doi:10.1177/0018726707087783

published in Human Relations 61(2), 163-186 (SAGE Publishing)

openalex publication_date 2008/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

This article describes an urgent need for interdisciplinary careers research in the emerging global knowledge economy. It begins by identifying a range of traditions in careers research, including both occupational and organizational research traditions from professional schools of education and management. It proceeds by offering a view on contemporary careers, and examining three directions for contemporary careers research — reflecting what organizational careers scholars see, what other organizational scholars see, and what is suggested by evidence on the knowledge economy — while leaving the door open for others to join the conversation by suggesting further research directions. The article then turns to propose three topics for future interdisciplinary research collaboration: a more accessible definition of career, application of contrasting methodologies and adoption of wider research agendas. The overall message is for careers scholars to become both more collaborative and more `imaginative' in their further research endeavors.

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• Professional identity construction: Using narrative to understand the negotiation of professional and stigmatized cultural identities
• Get Noticed to Get Ahead: The Impact of Personal Branding on Career Success. [europepmc]
• Role of organizational commitment in career growth and turnover intention in public sector of Oman. [europepmc]
• Kicking off a Gig Work Career: Unfolding a Career Learning Cycle of Gig Workers. [europepmc]

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