Wednesday 22 July 14:05 - 15:35

Hall: 28 - Room 6 SPT

Chair and Presenter: Mcmahon Mary

Division: Division 16: Counseling Psychology

Childhood career development is a critical foundational stage of lifespan career development. Yet
the theory, research and applied intervention described in the literature remains consistently
concerned about the lack of an integrative understanding of this foundational stage. The present
symposium considers recent theory, research and applied interventions in relation to the
challenges facing this field and proposes innovative and novel suggestions. The symposium's
topic is relevant to the conference's overall theme and goals. It considers new directions in child
career development from four international perspectives. In particular, it describes novel ways in
which theory and research can be applied in educational settings. In addition, a presentation
considers extant and future challenges in our understanding of children's career development. The
presentations are relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals of Quality Education and
Reduced Inequalities. Professor Oliveira and Paula Barrosa's (Portugal) paper presents a meta
analysis of recent literature and explores contextual influences on children's life experiences.
Importantly, this is considered in relation to later lifespan development, as well as child and pre
adolescent career interventions. Dr McMahon's (Australia) paper focuses on the
interconnectedness of theory, research and practice, and distils theoretical key features that
practitioners need to consider in developing intentional career development learning interventions.
Professor Romero-Rodrigues and Celia Morilla's (Spain) paper is focused on 5- to 7-year-old
children. They consider critical career guidance and qualitative career assessment in promoting
critical awareness in young children, and suggest interventions that develop equity, social justice,
individual and collective activism, sustainability, and culturally sensitive processes. Professor
Sgaramella and Lisa Ferrera's (Italy) paper analyses career education interventions and suggests
an integrative approach across diverse nationalities. Amongstemergentthemesisthatofsustainabledevelopmentgoals.ProfessorWatson's(SouthAfrica)paperdescribesthechallengesthatchildcareerdevelopmentfacedoverthelastdecadeandhowthisimpactedamoreholisticunderstandingoflifespancareerdevelopment.Thepaperconsidersthefoursymposiumcontributionsinrelationtoextantandfuturechallenges,aswellastheconference'sSustainableDevelopmentGoalsofQualityEducationandReducedInequalities