Anne-Kathrin Kleine from LMU Munich give a guest lecture on Future Work Self-Salience
Future Work Self (FWS) describes how individuals envision their future career selves (Strauss et al., 2012). In three research projects, we investigated the role of FWS in career development and adaptation to technological advancements. In our initial research, we synthesize findings on FWS salience through a meta-analytic approach to examine its associations with variables in the Career Construction Model of Adaptation (CCMA; Savickas & Porfeli, 2012). The analysis reveals strong links between FWS salience and career adaptability, proactive career behaviors, and other positive career outcomes. The results of our second project show how FWS emerges as a motivational resource that enhances individuals’ skill acquisition regarding interactions with AI, applicable in both educational and work contexts. This heightened preparedness improves their ability to engage with AI and adapt to evolving work demands. In our final project, we explore FWS using a network-based approach. The results shed light on the interconnectedness of FWS with other variables of the CCMA by disentangling temporal and contemporaneous relationships. Collectively, the three research projects underscore the pivotal influence of FWS on shaping individuals' career trajectories, enhancing their adaptability to new technological landscapes, and fostering resilience in educational and professional contexts.