Careers in the 21st Century: Addressing Vulnerability, Promoting Inclusion, and Advancing Sustainability and Well-Being

Dear Colleagues,

A thorough analysis of career development in the 21st century requires multiple levels of analysis ranging from micro (i.e., individual) to macro (e.g., organizational, institutional, cultural) (Akkermans et al., 2021). Globalization, technological advancements, and shifting social expectations have redefined the nature of work, generating new opportunities but also increasing vulnerabilities that impact individual health and collective well-being. Recent researchers highlight that several personal and environmental factors linked to career development are closely connected to individuals’ health and well-being (Grobelny, 2023; Russo et al., 2024; Petruzziello et al., 2025).

The current labour market presents significant challenges, including job and career insecurity, skills obsolescence, growing anxiety related to rapid technological change, and difficulties in achieving work–life balance. These issues particularly affect potentially vulnerable groups such as women, people with disabilities, migrants, refugees, low-qualified workers, and individuals facing discrimination based on cultural identity, social class, religion, or sexual orientation (Blustein et al., 2021; Jefferson et al., 2023). Other forms of occupational vulnerability include low socio-economic status (Landsbergis et al., 2014), health issues (Schuring et al., 2013), and those engaged in non-standard forms of employment (Rubery et al., 2018). Vulnerability arises from the interplay between individual and social-environmental factors and can take multiple forms, influencing both career opportunities and overall well-being. In fact, the demands of the modern labour market - such as remote work, digitalization, algorithmic management and performance pressure - can negatively affect mental health and sometimes career outcomes. Fostering sustainable careers in terms of happiness, health, productivity, and social empowerment (De Vos et al., 2020; Russo et al., 2023, 2025), beyond addressing work-related stress, burnout, and disengagement, have become urgent concerns requiring systemic interventions.

In this context, it is crucial to promote policies that ensure safe, inclusive, and sustainable educational and work environments, actively combating all forms of inequality. Organizations can apply psychological principles to develop fair recruitment practices, reduce bias, and foster a culture of fairness and equal opportunity. Furthermore, they can support well-being by implementing flexible work policies, encouraging autonomy, and providing access to mental health resources.

This topic brings together research from psychology, education, health sciences, and sustainability to address the complex challenges in modern career development. It explores the role of psychological factors in career development and the promotion of health and well-being, while also encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and reflections. We invite authors to submit manuscripts presenting innovative research models, strategies, and interventions that can help understand and mitigate vulnerabilities and promote fair, sustainable, inclusive, and fulfilling careers. We welcome theoretical, empirical, and methodological contributions that examine innovative approaches to addressing vulnerability, promoting health, inclusion, and ensuring sustainability and well-being, particularly in light of structural inequalities and global challenges.

Journals:

• Psychology International
• Social Sciences
• Societies

References

Blustein, D. L., Thompson, M. N., Kozan, S., & Allan, B. A. (2021). Intersecting losses and integrative practices: Work and mental health during the COVID-19 era and beyond. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 52(5), 523–532.

Grobelny, J. (2023). Factors driving the workplace well-being of individuals from co-located, hybrid, and virtual teams: The role of team type as an environmental factor in the job demand–resources model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 3685.

De Vos, A., Van der Heijden, B.I.J.M., & Akkermans, J. (2020). Sustainable careers: Towards a conceptual model. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 117.

Jefferson, L., Golder, S., Essex, H., Dale, V., & Bloor, K. (2023). Exploring gender differences in uptake of GP partnership roles: A qualitative mixed-methods study. British Journal of General Practice, 73(732), e545–e555.

Landsbergis, P. A., Grzywacz, J. G., & LaMontagne, A. D. (2014). Work organization, job insecurity, and occupational health disparities. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 57(5), 495-515.

Petruzziello, G., Chiesa, R., Guglielmi, D., Van der Heijden, B. I., de Jong, J. P., & Mariani, M. G. (2025). Self-perceived employability and psychological well-being among Italian students and graduates: a three-wave cross-lagged study. Journal of Career Development, 52(1), 21-40.

Rubery, J., Grimshaw, D., Keizer, A., & Johnson, M. (2018). Challenges and contradictions in the ‘normalising’of precarious work. Work, employment and society, 32(3), 509-527.

Russo, A., Valls-Figuera, R. G., Zammitti, A., & Magnano, P. (2023). Redefining ‘Careers’ and ‘Sustainable careers’: A qualitative study with university students. Sustainability, 15(24), 16723.

Russo, A., Zammitti, A., Zarbo, R., Magnano, P., & Santisi, G. (2025). The sustainable career scale (SCS): development, validity, reliabilityand invariance. Journal of Global Responsibility.

Akkermans, J., Spurk, D., & Fouad, N. (2021). Careers and career development. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.013.557

Russo, A., Mansouri, M., Santisi, G., & Zammitti, A. (2024). Psychological flexibility as a resource for preventing compulsive work and promoting well-being: a JD-R framework study. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 33(12), 1-17.

Schuring, M., Robroek, S. J., Otten, F. W., Arts, C. H., & Burdorf, A. (2013). The effect of ill health and socioeconomic status on labor force exit and re-employment: a prospective study with ten years follow-up in the Netherlands. Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health, 134-143.

Dr. Andrea Zammitti
Dr. Angela Russo
Dr. Gerardo Petruzziello
Dr. Jarosław Grobelny
Topic Editors