2025

Nuckols, Julia A.; Ranta, Mette

In this chapter, we will explore the landscape of opportunities for flourishing and risks for floundering among young professionals today. The evolution of emerging adults’ career culture is examined, highlighting aspects such as increased flexibility, career development, as well as growing uncertainties in the modern information society. We will delve into the pressures to succeed, post-graduation plans, financial concerns, and exploration of self-esteem of emerging adults navigating their career trajectories. Professionally, the demands of globalization and digitalization are ubiquitous, emphasizing the significance of targeted skills like digital literacy. We will widen the scope to address amplified uncertainty in emerging adults’ career development and financial stability, accentuated by global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter equips emerging adults, their parents, and educators with strategies for thriving in a rapidly evolving world, while providing quotes from emerging adults today, offering comprehensive insights into the modern career landscape.