Employability and Depth Psychology

Abstract

It is sometimes argued that employability is difficult or even impossible to define. Tymon (2013: 842), for example, states that definitions of employability are problematic and suffer from ‘a lack of coherence’. Chertkovskaya et al. (2013: 707) go further and argue that employability is ‘empty of any substantive meaning’. Whilst there are some merits to these positions, I would like to suggest, in contrast, that employability is rather too full of meaning; indeed, it can hardly bear the weight of the emotional and rhetorical investments made in it. This position is informed by the use of selected key concepts from depth psychology. Through this, I develop critical and creative responses to questions such as: What are the grand narratives of employability? How might they be de-centred and de-potentiated? What action can be taken as a result? Linked to this, practical examples are provided and actions identified. Although the context identified is drawn from higher education, the implications extend to all educational, community and workplace contexts.