Change it up, change the system! Exploring career development learning and social justice through action research

Abstract

Careers practitioners are encouraged to embrace social justice as a core value, but to what extent can it truly guide practice given the operational and institutional constraints within which many operate? This paper presents a practical example of a career development learning intervention drawing on theories of social justice. Informed by student consultation, the workshop engaged participants in collaborative learning on themes such as the gig economy and the gender pay gap. This innovative example of a non-deficit approach succeeded in attracting and engaging a diverse group of participants, fostering peer-to-peer and transformative learning.