CAREER DECISION-MAKING IN THE AGE OF AUTOMATION: YOUTH PERSPECTIVES ON JOB SECURITY

Abstract

This study investigates how young adults navigate career decision-making amid increasing workplace automation and explores their perceptions of job security in technologically evolving industries. Utilizing a qualitative research design, this study conducted in-depth interviews with 30 participants aged 18-25 years, comprising university students and early-career professionals across various disciplines. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis to capture participants' lived experiences and meaning-making processes regarding career choices. The findings reveal that automation anxiety significantly influences career planning, with participants demonstrating strategic avoidance of occupations perceived as high-risk for technological displacement. Three primary themes emerged: adaptive career strategies emphasizing skill diversification, preference for human-centric professions requiring emotional intelligence and creativity, and proactive engagement with continuous learning. Participants expressed heightened awareness of technological disruption but exhibited varying levels of preparedness, with STEM-educated youth showing greater confidence in adapting to automated work environments. Notably, job security concerns often outweighed traditional career satisfaction factors in decision-making processes. This research concludes that automation fundamentally reshapes youth career trajectories, necessitating educational reforms that prioritize adaptability and technological literacy. The findings underscore the importance of career counseling services addressing automation-related uncertainties and developing frameworks that help young professionals build resilient career pathways in an increasingly automated economy.