Crafting careers through theory-driven interventions: a scoping review of the utility of social cognitive career theory and career maturity inventory

ABSTRACT

In the intricate tapestry of the exploration stage (14–25 years), students grapple with the challenges of self-discovery, career ambiguity, and the quest for purpose. Over the last few decades, a vast body of research evidence on the utility of ‘Social Cognitive Career Theory’ (SCCT) and ‘Career Maturity Inventory’ (CMI) in designing career interventions has emerged. This framework and instrument can potentially assist students in navigating the critical exploration stage. As espoused by Arksey and O’Malley, our scoping review outlines the utility of SCCT and CMI in designing early career intervention. In addition, we identify and document the facilitators and barriers to utilizing SCCT and CMI. It presents the nuanced application of the framework and the instrument in rural and urban settings. The findings affirm the robust utility of SCCT and CMI, thereby informing academicians and practitioners in designing and implementing effective early career interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• Career intervention
• career development
• career maturity inventory
• exploration stage
• social cognitive career theory

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive feedback that helped improve the quality of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author Contributors

Conceptualisation: PD, NG, AS; Methodology: NG, PD; Data Curation & Formal Analysis: PD, MD, AP; Writing Original Draft: PD, AP; Writing-Review & Editing: NG, AS, PD, AP, MD; Supervision: AS, NG

Data availability statement

Data relevant to the review is included in the article or provided as supplementary material.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2024.2308081

Additional information

Funding

The University Grants Commission, Government of India.