Exploring the future career autobiography with young Australian undergraduate students: autobiographical opportunities for career storytelling and narrative change

Abstract

This study examined the Future Career Autobiography (FCA) with six Australian undergraduate students. The study aimed to explore: (1) the FCA as a qualitative career assessment instrument that facilitates career storytelling and reflexivity on future career plans and (2) the implications of narrative career assessment procedures that reflexively and systemically engage young students in career research. The findings confirmed some narrative changes in the participants’ FCA paragraphs. These changes were more substantial for participants with less certain career plans. The findings extended the evidence base for the FCA beyond its role in qualitatively measuring narrative change, as an instrument that promotes autobiographicity and facilitates reflexivity. By introducing the exit interview questions, this research substantiated FCA’s applications in practice and research.