Exploring the elements: cross-cultural validation of Donald’s Weather as a Career Metaphor

Purpose Drawing on a sustainable career ecosystem theory and narrative career identity, our study empirically tests Donald’s (2022) conceptualisation of Weather as a Career Metaphor (WCM). Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 368 undergraduates in India (n = 184) and the UK (n = 184) through open-ended questions in 2024 to enable a cross-cultural comparison. Findings Qualitative content analysis, followed by frequency counts of categories, showed strong alignment between participants from both countries. The ten original weather elements proposed in the WCM (sun, rain, drought, thunder and lightning, ice, fog, tailwind, headwind, tornado and rainbow) were empirically supported and further refined. The element rain revealed notable cross-cultural variation in emphasis across its three categories. Three additional weather elements (cloud, hail and snow) were identified and defined. Overall, 88.86 per cent of participants (88.04 in India and 89.67 in the UK) found the WCM useful in reflecting on their employability and future careers. Interestingly, even those who reported limited usefulness described weather elements in a way consistent with other participants. Originality/value The study makes a theoretical contribution by empirically validating the revised WCM grounded in sustainable career ecosystem theory and narrative career identity. Practically, it provides career development practitioners with a new, context-sensitive metaphor to support undergraduates in India and the UK to prepare for and subsequently experience the sustainable career indicators of health, happiness and productivity in contemporary labour markets.