A systematic review on career interventions for university students: Framework, effectiveness, and outcomes

Abstract

This study presents a systematic literature review about career interventions for university students exploring (1) which theoretical framework; (2) structure; (3) evaluation system; and (4) outcomes are reported. Fourteen keywords, five databases, and six eligibility criteria were defined. Among the 596 articles collected, 26 remained for meta-synthesis. Results indicated a predominance of (1) three theoretical frameworks, (2) group intervention modality, (3) pre-and post-test evaluation system, and (4) the positive development of skills in decision-making. Recommendations are presented to guide future research and practice in the field. For example, this study indicates the importance of providing updated information about the world of work within career interventions or educational programs.

Integrative review on career interventions with unemployed people: Nature, outcomes, and recommendations

“…Psychological career interventions refer to strategies and programs designed to support individuals in their career development by addressing psychological factors that influence their career development and enable effective career decisions (Chen, 2021). These interventions are comprehensive and systematic actions tailored to the clients' characteristics and developmental stage, implemented by psychologists or career counsellors, aiming to promote adaptive career skills (Soares et al, 2022).…”

“…The selected articles had to focus on career interventions with unemployed individuals and provide information about the intervention's structure and content, efficacy, or practical recommendations. Career interventions were defined as initiatives aimed at promoting adaptive career skills and encompassing various activities throughout a person's lifetime to enhance career development (Chen, 2021;Soares et al, 2022). Only studies that were guided by a psychologist or career counselor and aimed to promote career resources were included.…”

“…Psychological career interventions typically encompass a structured approach, which significantly influences their effectiveness and practical implications. These interventions encompass various modalities, such as career counseling, group counseling, career workshops, and computer‐assisted career guidance systems (Soares et al., 2022; Whiston et al., 2017). The impact of modality on intervention effectiveness has been recognized by researchers exploring their differences (e.g., Santilli et al., 2021).…”

“…Additionally, the intensity of an intervention, including the number, duration, and frequency of sessions, has been found to influence its effectiveness (van der Horst et al., 2021). Career interventions stand out from others as they aim to promote career resources like perceived employability, career adaptability, and career beliefs (Soares et al., 2022). Evaluating the efficacy of career interventions can be accomplished through outcome analysis, which assesses the overall effectiveness of career counseling, and effectiveness of career interventions can be accomplished through process research, which investigates factors contributing to the intervention impact.…”

“…While many of these reviews primarily focus on intervention effectiveness (e.g., Langher et al., 2018), others examine intervention characteristics (Oliveira et al., 2017), or review the literature on a specific career dimension (e.g., career indecision; Priyashantha et al., 2023). Additionally, there has been a recent resurgence in developing reviews that specifically analyze career interventions targeting particular populations, such as college students (Soares et al., 2022) or adults with autism spectrum disorder (Hedley et al., 2017). Despite these efforts, there has yet to be a dedicated review specifically addressing career interventions for the unemployed people, a population often in urgent need of career support.…”