Storytelling: Career identities of South African high school learners

Abstract

This study explored the career identities of adolescents from their life narratives. Participants were adolescent learners attending a South African high school. They shared their narratives on childhood backgrounds, the sense of self, future aspirations, inspiration of dreams, and culture/beliefs/values. From the narratives, the following themes emerged: Importance of people and society which fit with learners’ interpersonal skills; futuristic information and planning; as well as expected employment opportunities.

Keywords:

• adolescents
• career construction
• career identity
• self-concept
• narrative analysis
• South Africa