Career writing interventions for career learning: an integrative literature review

This integrative literature review aimed to synthesise published research on the use of expressive, reflective and creative writing in a career context, known as Career Writing. Studies included English-language research from peer-reviewed journals published between 1990 and 2020 with intervention(s) involving writing for personal and professional development in a career context. Forty-five articles were thematically analysed, and three themes identified: 1. dialogue/voice, 2. learning, and 3. wellness/well-being. Moreover, five subthemes emerged: 2a. professional development, 2b. personal development, 2c. career-identity development, 3a. psychological wellbeing, and 3b. physical health and wellness. Analysis revealed that through dialogue with themselves and others, participants learned personally and professionally and, in some cases, developed insights about career direction. Participants in some of these studies experienced psychological well-being and in four cases they experienced physical improvements. It was emotions in addition to thoughts that led to the most profound insights described in some of the research studies.