Navigating Contradictions: Insight into the Development of Career Agency of Young Adults in Vulnerable Positions

In the Dutch labor market, where the number of vacancies exceeds the number of unemployed, many young adults still struggle to find meaningful work. This article explores their experiences as they develop career agency while encountering obstacles and barriers. Career agency is understood as an emergent phenomenon, shaped by both external limitations and intrapersonal development. Considering its relational and dialectical nature, we use Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to explore complex agency development among young adults. Through in-depth interviews with 25 young adults, we identified four types of contradictions. These contradictions, often characterized by conflicting motives, can be paralyzing. Some emerge between personal motives and external environments, while others stem from conflicting internal motives. Although such contradictions may hinder career agency, they can also stimulate development and professional growth. Our analysis further highlights formative intraventions. In some instances, we discovered that young adults adjusted their motives, norms, values, and needs to align with the expectations of their new environments, or they took a stance to change those environments. The ability to envision possible actions within their context appears to be crucial. Understanding these contradictions and responses can help mentors develop interventions that support young adults in navigating labor market challenges and building sustainable careers.