Unlocking career potential: a scoping review of recent interventions for adult career development

Career development interventions (CDIs) are essential for addressing the evolving career needs of adults navigating complex labour markets. Previous reviews have focused on CDIs for students or early-career professionals, with limited attention to adult populations and long-term career outcomes. This scoping review investigates the nature and scope of career development interventions (CDIs) targeting adult populations post-2002. Through searches in PsycINFO, ERIC, and Business Source Premier, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria, covering diverse geographical settings and participant demographics. The review categorizes interventions into career counselling, mentoring, career coaching, and specialized programs, identifying significant themes such as career satisfaction, mentoring outcomes, and self-efficacy. Results indicate varied effectiveness, with mentoring and specialized interventions improving job satisfaction and self-efficacy. Findings emphasize the need for standardized CDI designs and consistent outcome measures for broader applicability in real-world settings.