For emerging adults, embarking on a career is both exciting and daunting—social changes and globalization have yielded increasing opportunities together with increasing challenges. Planning and flexibility are essential for success. In this chapter, the authors examine how these changes have impacted educational and work transitions, beginning with a broad snapshot of workforce participation, followed by a discussion of globalization effects and labor market shifts. Relational and family influences are seen to be influential in the context of work and career decisions. They identify several issues of particular significance to emerging adults, such as rapid societal change, cultural influences, work expectations, and increasing demands for knowledge and skills. New pathways to work are described, along with the transitions experienced among special populations such as the economically disadvantaged, immigrants, and international students. Current research illuminates these opportunities and challenges and emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate and meaningful transition supports.
The Social and Solidarity Economy: An Opportunity for Young Women’s Work Transitions
