Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aims to explore protean career orientations in developing Generation Z's 21st century career adaptability in an educational context. Generation Z faces significant challenges in a dynamic and fast-changing learning environment, including technological developments, labor market changes, and evolving skill needs. Therefore, it is important to understand how a protean career orientation can help them adapt to these changes. The method used was Systematic Literature Review (SLR), which identified and analyzed the literature related to protean career orientation and career adaptability. The results showed that protean career orientation, which emphasizes flexibility, career self-management and the ability to learn lifelong, significantly contributes to the development of career adaptability. The findings highlight the importance of developing adaptive skills and mindsets to enable Generation Z to cope with the evolving demands of education and careers. Adopting a protean career orientation can be an effective strategy in preparing Generation Z for future career challenges and enhancing their ability to navigate diverse educational and career pathways so that they can reach their full potential in an ever-changing environment.
Keywords
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
References
- Akkermans, J., Paradniké, K., Van Der Heijden, B. I. J. M., & De Vos, A. (2018). The Best of Both Worlds: The Role of Career Adaptability and Career Competencies in Students’ Well-Being and Performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1678. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01678
- Alimuddin, A., Juntak, J. N. S., Jusnita, R. A. E., Murniawaty, I., & Wono, H. Y. (2023). Teknologi Dalam Pendidikan: Membantu Siswa Beradaptasi Dengan Revolusi Industri 4.0. Journal on Education, 05(04), 36–38.
- Badyal, D., Lata, H., Sharma, M., & Jain, A. (2020). Triple Cs of self-directed learning: Concept, conduct, and curriculum placement. CHRISMED Journal of Health and Research, 7(4), 235. https://doi.org/10.4103/cjhr.cjhr_13_21
- Barhate, B., & Dirani, K. M. (2022). Career aspirations of generation Z: A systematic literature review. European Journal of Training and Development, 46(1/2), 139–157. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-07-2020-0124
- Baruch, Y. (2014). The development and validation of a measure for protean career orientation. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(19), 2702–2723. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2014.896389
- Benítez-Márquez, M. D., Sánchez-Teba, E. M., Bermúdez-González, G., & Núñez-Rydman, E. S. (2022). Generation Z Within the Workforce and in the Workplace: A Bibliometric Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 736820. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.736820
- Biemann, T., Zacher, H., & Feldman, D. C. (2012). Career patterns: A twenty-year panel study. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 81(2), 159–170.
- Briscoe, J., & Hall, D. (2006). The interplay of boundaryless and protean careers: Combinations and implications. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 69, 4–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JVB.2005.09.002
- Chen, H., Fang, T., Liu, F., Pang, L., Wen, Y., Chen, S., & Gu, X. (2020). Career adaptability research: A literature review with scientific knowledge mapping in web of science. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(16), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165986
- Choi, Jhi-eun. (2023). The mediating effect of career preparation behavior in the relationship between college students’ professional career attitude and career adaptability. Learner-Centered Curriculum Education Society, 23(2), 145–157.
- Chui, H., Li, H., & Ngo, H. (2022a). Linking Protean Career Orientation with Career Optimism: Career Adaptability and Career Decision Self-Efficacy as Mediators. Journal of Career Development, 49(1), 161–173. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845320912526
- Hall, D. (1996). Protean Careers of the 21st Century. Academy of Management Perspectives, 10, 8–16. https://doi.org/10.5465/AME.1996.3145315
- Hall, D. (2004). The protean career: A quarter-century journey. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 65, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JVB.2003.10.006
- Hanifah, H., & Wardono, P. (2020). Identifikasi Faktor Pembentuk Perilaku Pencari Kerja Generasi Z di Indonesia. Jurnal Aplikasi Bisnis dan Manajemen. https://doi.org/10.17358/jabm.6.3.628
- Hirschi, A. (2009). Career adaptability development in adolescence: Multiple predictors and effect on sense of power and life satisfaction. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74(2), 145–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2009.01.002
References
Akkermans, J., Paradniké, K., Van Der Heijden, B. I. J. M., & De Vos, A. (2018). The Best of Both Worlds: The Role of Career Adaptability and Career Competencies in Students’ Well-Being and Performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1678. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01678
Alimuddin, A., Juntak, J. N. S., Jusnita, R. A. E., Murniawaty, I., & Wono, H. Y. (2023). Teknologi Dalam Pendidikan: Membantu Siswa Beradaptasi Dengan Revolusi Industri 4.0. Journal on Education, 05(04), 36–38.
Badyal, D., Lata, H., Sharma, M., & Jain, A. (2020). Triple Cs of self-directed learning: Concept, conduct, and curriculum placement. CHRISMED Journal of Health and Research, 7(4), 235. https://doi.org/10.4103/cjhr.cjhr_13_21
Barhate, B., & Dirani, K. M. (2022). Career aspirations of generation Z: A systematic literature review. European Journal of Training and Development, 46(1/2), 139–157. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-07-2020-0124
Baruch, Y. (2014). The development and validation of a measure for protean career orientation. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(19), 2702–2723. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2014.896389
Benítez-Márquez, M. D., Sánchez-Teba, E. M., Bermúdez-González, G., & Núñez-Rydman, E. S. (2022). Generation Z Within the Workforce and in the Workplace: A Bibliometric Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 736820. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.736820
Biemann, T., Zacher, H., & Feldman, D. C. (2012). Career patterns: A twenty-year panel study. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 81(2), 159–170.
Briscoe, J., & Hall, D. (2006). The interplay of boundaryless and protean careers: Combinations and implications. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 69, 4–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JVB.2005.09.002
Chen, H., Fang, T., Liu, F., Pang, L., Wen, Y., Chen, S., & Gu, X. (2020). Career adaptability research: A literature review with scientific knowledge mapping in web of science. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(16), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165986
Choi, Jhi-eun. (2023). The mediating effect of career preparation behavior in the relationship between college students’ professional career attitude and career adaptability. Learner-Centered Curriculum Education Society, 23(2), 145–157.
Chui, H., Li, H., & Ngo, H. (2022a). Linking Protean Career Orientation with Career Optimism: Career Adaptability and Career Decision Self-Efficacy as Mediators. Journal of Career Development, 49(1), 161–173. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845320912526
Hall, D. (1996). Protean Careers of the 21st Century. Academy of Management Perspectives, 10, 8–16. https://doi.org/10.5465/AME.1996.3145315
Hall, D. (2004). The protean career: A quarter-century journey. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 65, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JVB.2003.10.006
Hanifah, H., & Wardono, P. (2020). Identifikasi Faktor Pembentuk Perilaku Pencari Kerja Generasi Z di Indonesia. Jurnal Aplikasi Bisnis dan Manajemen. https://doi.org/10.17358/jabm.6.3.628
Hirschi, A. (2009). Career adaptability development in adolescence: Multiple predictors and effect on sense of power and life satisfaction. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74(2), 145–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2009.01.002