Career Design for Discovering Meaningful Work: A Narrative and Meaning Innovation Approach

Abstract: The advent of generative AI is expected to reduce human working hours, requiring a transformation in the meaning of work. According to a survey in Japan, approximately 64.5% of workers cited “earning income” as their primary reason for working, while only about 20% cited “to utilize my abilities” or “to find purpose.” However, in the author’s career counseling practice, many clients express a desire for meaningful work and fulfillment. This suggests that while they may not currently experience intrinsic value in their work, they fundamentally seek meaning in employment. Against this backdrop, this study aims to establish a career design methodology that redefines the meaning of work.This study employed a qualitative approach. First, an integrated framework was constructed, leading to a hypothesis for a career design process focused on meaningful work. Drawing on Mark L. Savickas’s narrative career counseling and Roberto Verganti’s innovation of meaning, a hypothetical career design process was proposed to reveal both the inner sense of meaning in work and the creation of new societal value for the same individual. Three key processes were emphasized: (1) creating a personal history to discover new narratives, (2) uncovering value through dialogue with a career designer, and (3) receiving insights from industry experts (interpreters). The hypothesis was then analyzed and examined through text-based online chat communications and one-on-one online coaching sessions conducted over several months with five Japanese business professionals.As a result of engaging in the hypothesized career design process, three of the five participants were able to clarify their personal meaning of work and build new careers. Analysis of the success factors revealed that the three emphasized processes were effective. For example:Participant A discovered (1) narratives such as “the confident self” and “the self who loves making things” from his personal history; (2) “the artisan-like self” with the career designer; and (3) the career of “tatami craftsman” with the interpreter.Participant B discovered (1) the narrative of “the self interested in human behavior” from his personal history; (2) “the self who enjoys experiencing nature” with the career designer; and (3) the career of “nature school instructor” with the interpreter.Participant C discovered (1) the narrative of “the self who loves hospitality” from his personal history; (2) “the self who helps the socially vulnerable” with the career designer; and (3) the career of “coaching students at a free school” with the interpreter.These findings highlight the importance of balancing coaching with critical dialogue. While traditional counseling emphasizes drawing meaning from the client, career designers must also encourage the questioning of assumptions and critical reflection. To reinforce extrinsic meaning, it is essential to propose specific occupations or work styles that align with both intrinsic and extrinsic dimensions and demonstrate their significance.This research provides a career design process that addresses the challenge of lost meaning in work caused by technological advancement. By employing two design methodologies—narrative and meaning innovation—this process demonstrates the potential to generate both individual fulfillment and new societal value.

Keywords: Career Design, Meaningful Work, Meaning Innovation, Narrative, Career Change

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007085

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