Exploring the Career Decision-Making Process During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Opportunities and Challenges for Young People

The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the measures taken against its spread, including quarantine, school closures, and online teaching, have affected young people's career planning and decision-making process. This study explores their career decision-making process during the pandemic by analysing the following categories: effects the pandemic might have had on emotional, social, and professional aspects; support provided by family, school, and peers; challenges and difficulties experienced during the career planning process; and the need and opportunities for career guidance. Thirty high school students in the 12th grade were individually interviewed using Google Meet. The findings of thematic analysis revealed that the participants struggled with the career decision-making process during the pandemic. Concerns related to abrupt changes in daily routines and restrictive measures affected their emotional and social states. Participants reported feeling sufficiently supported by their families, but not their schools or peers. They indicated that career orientation information provided by their schools or other institutions would be beneficial. Our findings highlight the need for a structured, well planned, official career orientation program for schools.