An autoethnographic study: my spiritual journey for connectedness through meaningful work and its implications for the practice of guidance counselling

The aim of my autoethnographic study is to examine my spiritual journey to find meaningful work and connectedness. A further aim of my study is to examine the implications for guidance counsellor practice by exploring the relational context in career development and provide opportunities for women marginalised by career to work through their disconnection for career renewal. We are now living in a society that is embedded in a highly technologically driven and volatile global economy where workers’ employability depends on their adaptability (Savickas, 2011). We are also living in an increasingly fragmented world that promotes separateness and diminishes the value of caregiving, thus prioritising economic development over enhancing the human condition (Blustein, 2006; Gilligan, 1982; Hansen, 2001). To examine these broad issues in the context of my own career journey, a social constructivist autoethnographic study has been employed using arts-based narrative inquiry techniques to collect data and analyse data on my career narrative. A thematic analysis was then conducted to report the significant socio-cultural themes and patterns in my primary findings for wider theoretical applicability (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The research findings arising from this study show that relatedness is central to women’s psychological development, career identity, progress and performance. Furthermore, our postmodern relational context has created a dilemma for contemporary working mothers by expecting women to balance the competing demands of individualistic career success with parenting children. This perspective challenges guidance policymakers, academics and guidance counsellors to balance the individualistic needs of the economy with the relational needs of women’s psychological well-being (Hansen, 2001; Schultheiss, 2009; Watts, 2005). Finally, a series of recommendations arising from the study are put forward to inform future policy, research and practice.