Careers in sustainability: an application of Social Cognitive Career Theory

Adolescents’ interests and goals for pursuing a career in the environmental, social and economic sustainability domains were explored within the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) framework. Respondents were secondary school graduates from Croatia who participated in an online study (N = 582). Using SEM, the SCCT model was confirmed as an adequate framework for conceptualizing the origins of career interests and goals in the three sustainability domains, especially with contextual supports and barriers included as both direct and indirect effects (via learning experiences, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations) on goals. Implications of results for career guidance practice and policies are discussed.