Implications of career guidance on career choices and professional development: Stakeholders’ perspectives from selected higher educational institutions in the UAE

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Social Sciences and Humanities Open

Publication Date

6-1-2026

Abstract

Career choices and professional development are influenced by various factors, such as family dynamics, teacher guidance, career counselling, peer influence, continuous learning, and market trends. This study aims to explore the experiences and perspectives of both students and staff regarding the impact of career guidance on the career choices, professional development of undergraduate Emirati students in selected higher education institutions in the UAE. Twenty-three participants, purposefully chosen, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the gathered data. The findings indicate relatively a positive understanding of staff and students regarding the heightened awareness of career choices and personal growth among undergraduate Emirati students. However, the study reveals that the local job market dynamics, existing career paths for Emirati citizens, and significant family influences seemingly shape the career decisions of these students. The research emphasizes the importance of considering stakeholders' perspectives in shaping career guidance policies and practices positively. The study underscores the significance of robust career guidance policies, effective career assessments, engaging guidance activities, proficient career advisors, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Together, these elements can empower students to make well-informed career choices and foster their professional growth.

ISSN

2590-2911

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

13

Disciplines

Education

Keywords

Career choices, Career guidance, Higher Education, Professional development

Scopus ID

105030461459

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series

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