Career Management: Emerging Themes and Trends

Abstract

Introduction to the SAGE National Human Resource Development Network Special Issue on Career Management

Greetings from the Guest Editors of the SAGE National Human Resource Development (NHRD) Journal!

As invited Guest Editors for this Special Issue on ‘Career Management: Emerging Themes and Trends’, we are honoured to contribute to an area of growing significance for scholars, practitioners and organisations alike. In the post-liberalisation era, careers in India have undergone a profound transformation, attracting the attention of business leaders, entrepreneurs, human resource development (HRD) professionals and academicians. Career management today spans a wide spectrum of theories, practices and emerging trends shaped by technological disruption, shifting workforce expectations and evolving organisational realities. This Special Issue brings together contributions from leading academics and seasoned practitioners who offer diverse, research-driven and experience-based perspectives. Collectively, these articles provide a comprehensive understanding of contemporary career challenges and opportunities, enriching the ongoing discourse on how individuals and organisations can co-create meaningful, future-ready career pathways.

Chapterisation of the Special Issue

1. Overview of career management: Theories, trends and themes

Professor Gopal and Dr Sadhna: The opening article sets the conceptual foundation for the Special Issue. It highlights how careers in a rapidly evolving global environment require continuous learning, adaptability and alignment with personal values. The authors emphasise the growing need for shared responsibility between individuals and organisations in managing career trajectories.

2. Redefining career success in India: The rise of a new career contract

Professor Sasmita and Aparna, TISS: Drawing on empirical evidence, this article demonstrates how emerging professionals in India are redefining career success beyond compensation and titles. Financial security, organisational culture, skill development and values alignment now shape career choices—offering critical insights for HR leaders seeking to engage and retain millennial and Gen Z talent.

3. The new world of work: Building high-impact careers across the employee life cycle

Shubhayu, Zeta: This practitioner-focused article examines the shift from linear, employer-defined career ladders to dynamic, self-directed career paths. It underscores the rise of portfolio careers and the risks of anchoring professional identity in narrow roles or skill sets.

4. Frugal pathways to career growth: A LeanSpark perspective

Dr Ayatakshee, XLRI: The author argues that in an unpredictable and fast-changing job landscape, meaningful careers are best built through resourcefulness, experimentation and adaptive use of available opportunities. A frugal, LeanSpark-inspired approach is presented as an alternative to rigid planning and early specialisation.

5. Future-proofing careers through mid-career education: An exploratory Indian study

Professor Gopal, Dr Sadhna and Rupal, IIMB: Based on empirical research, this article explores how a weekend MBA programme at a premier Indian B-school enhances managerial capabilities, professional networks and financial outcomes for mid-career professionals, thereby strengthening their long-term career resilience.

6. Beyond career planning: Psychological insights for contemporary career management

Dr Debarati and Dr Vasundhara: This practitioner-led article highlights the growing importance of psychological resilience, adaptability and self-awareness in career management. The authors propose a holistic framework that integrates internal psychological growth with external career opportunities to support sustainable and fulfilling careers.

7. Workforce challenges in career planning and development: A practitioner’s perspective

Karthik M.: This article examines how rapid technological change and evolving employee expectations are reshaping organisational career ecosystems. Drawing from corporate talent management experience, it offers practical insights for building resilient, human-centred approaches to career planning and development.

8. Learning to earning: HR–academia partnerships for sustainable careers

Dr Vivek and Sangeeta, IITD: The authors argue that long-term collaborations between organisations and academic institutions can help address complex challenges such as artificial intelligence (AI), geopolitics and climate change. Using the Person–Organisation Fit framework, they highlight how such partnerships can align skills, values and generational needs to build sustainable career pathways.

Book Reviews

Career 3.0: Six Skills You Must Have to Succeed

This review presents Career 3.0 as a timely guide for navigating an AI-disrupted labour market. It emphasises the shift from traditional, single-employer careers to flexible, skills-based and portfolio-driven career models grounded in adaptability and self-renewal.

The Squiggly Career

The second review describes The Squiggly Career as a practical, tool-rich reframing of careers from linear ladders to non-linear, self-directed journeys. It highlights the book’s strengths in values identification, strengths mapping and network building, while acknowledging its limitations in addressing structural constraints beyond individual agency.

Closing Note

This Special Issue represents a sincere effort to present multiple emerging perspectives on career management. We hope that NHRD Network members, academicians, HRD practitioners and consultants will find these insights valuable in understanding and validating the evolving trends shaping careers today.

Footnotes

Bio-sketches

Professor Gopal Mahapatra is a Professor of Practice in Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, with over 39 years of rich and diverse experience across corporate, consulting and academic domains. He brings deep expertise in organisational transformation, leadership and talent development, and executive coaching, with a strong focus on enabling individuals and organisations to navigate change and build sustainable capabilities. He has worked with leading organisations, including RPG Group, Oracle, Gujarat Gas, BPL, INDAL and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), gaining extensive exposure to varied industries and organisational contexts. He has consulted extensively across MNCs, Indian conglomerates, family-managed organisations and PSUs, and taught in leadership development interventions and has done 360-degree Coaching and executive coaching across sectors. He has multiple certifications, including: Hogan, MBTI, KornFerry 360DF, Mercer ADC, Positive Psychology, Resilience TQM/Business excellence by JUSE/CII. He holds a doctoral degree (Fellow in Management) from IIM Bangalore and currently serves as the Area Chairperson for OB and HR at the institute, contributing to academic leadership, research and programme development in the field.

Dr Sadhna Dash is presently Adjunct Faculty, OB-HR area, at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. A management graduate from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneshwar, she earned her PhD from XIM University. With a professional career spanning 37 years, she spent the first 24 years in corporate HR, including the last 8 years in leadership roles. The last 13 years saw her nurture a career in academics. She also serves as a faculty and research guide at the Academy of Human Resources Development, Ahmedabad. Sadhna has also co-authored two textbooks in the area of HRM, published by McGraw-Hill Publications. As a resource person for POSH, she serves as the external expert member on POSH panels for corporates. Committed to giving back to society, she contributes to capacity-building and supports operational excellence at two NGOs while serving on the governing board of one.