In the eyes of the beholder: an insightful exploration of sustainable career in Pakistani context

The significance of sustainable careers has increased for both individuals and organisations due to ongoing changes in the world of work resulting from globalisation, economic instability, technological development, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emerging issues. Based on the perspectives of employers and career-driven employees working in multiple industries, this study aims to understand what constitutes a sustainable career in Pakistan. A qualitative methodology was used after drawing a non-probability purposive sample of 22 professionals from various sectors in Pakistan. Thematic analysis was performed to examine the data obtained from semi-structured interviews. The findings highlighted that a sustainable career comprises of five dimensions, as perceived by the participants: person-career fit, support for career growth, conducive work environment, employability, and meaningful work. Through valuable insights, this study offers a model for sustainable careers, thus balancing employee and organisational needs in the Pakistani organisational context. This model serves as a guide for HR managers to establish sustainable career paths that keep employees happy and satisfied on continuous basis.