Learning from Nova Scotia Career Development Professionals: A Futures-Oriented Theoretical Framework Developed through a Critical Realist Approach
| dc.contributor.author | Murphy, Joel S. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-09-19T14:59:08Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-09-19T14:59:08Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-09 | |
| dc.description.abstract | In a rapidly changing world, sectors across society are investing heavily in anticipating and preparing for future disruptions; however, the field of youth career development has received comparatively little attention. This dissertation addresses this gap by exploring the possible futures of youth career development in Nova Scotia, Canada, with a time horizon of 2030. Career development professionals (CDPs) are increasingly facing complex challenges, including volatile labour markets, evolving educational models, and emerging generations with distinct values and expectations. Through the adoption of an engaged critical realist scholar approach, this study embedded iterative futures research methods (modified Delphi, environmental scan, and rapid realist review) within a realist-informed paradigm. The resulting Futures-Oriented Theoretical Framework was composed of five middle-range theories particularly relevant to the context of 2030. The theories identified and selected after the nine phases of data gathering and analysis are Critical Digital Literacy, Intersectionality Theory, Basic Psychological Needs Theory, Emotional Intelligence Theory, and Possible Future Selves Theory. This framework aims to support CDPs in critically and creatively designing programs, services, and interventions for Generation Z and the older members of Generation Alpha. Grounded in the Nova Scotian context, the framework is designed to be generalizable across Canadian career development settings, offering a strategic tool to help CDPs anticipate, adapt, and lead in the future of accelerating change. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ec.msvu.ca/handle/10587/2363 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Mount Saint Vincent University | |
| dc.title | Learning from Nova Scotia Career Development Professionals: A Futures-Oriented Theoretical Framework Developed through a Critical Realist Approach | |
| dc.type | Thesis |