Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
This study examined sustainable career challenges for academic and support staff in the Indian higher education institutions using the help of the Systems Theory Framework of career development. The study adopted a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with 28 academic and support staff from public and private academic institutions across India. The inductive thematic analysis identified institutional factors, individual agency, and the socio-economic context as key determinants of career sustainability. The analysis highlighted challenges faced by ‘third-space’ professionals that included role ambiguity, job insecurity, and lack of recognition, which considerably impacted their career sustainability. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, leaders, and individuals who seek sustainable careers in the Indian higher education sector post National Education Policy 2020.
Chanchal Dey (Wed,) studied this question.