Facilitating career wellbeing: Exploring a career satisfaction and employability profile of knowledge workers

Abstract

Industry 4.0, which is characterised by digitisation, technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) is upon us. Machines are enabled to make decisions and communicate with humans, which fundamentally changes the way we live, work and relate to one another. Career satisfaction and employability are key constructs that can enhance career wellbeing in the increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world of work. By applying the social cognitive career theory, the person-environment fit theory and the conservation of resources theory as a theoretical lens, the relationship dynamics between career cognitions, career resources and career outcomes were explored as an objective of this study. Advanced statistical analyses such as canonical correlation analyses were utilised to explore a career satisfaction and employability profile for knowledge workers in the South African context. Suggestions for practice and psychological interventions to enhance the career wellbeing of knowledge workers are proposed.