Abstract

The purpose of this study was to discuss the role and task of career counseling and vocational psychology in the fourth industrial revolution era. We first addressed how the world of work has changed in the fourth industrial revolution era and how these changes have impacted individuals and the society. Second, we explored issues to consider in order to improve individuals’ lives and the society utilizing contemporary concepts and theories of career counseling and vocational psychology. Specifically, we reviewed boundaryless career attitudes and protean career attitudes, constructivist career theories and meaningful work perspectives, and the psychology of working framework. Lastly, we reviewed the under-addressed aspect in the existing discourse and proposed themes and tasks that career counseling and vocational psychology needs to further attend. We specifically discussed that the disciplines need to attend influences of organizational and social contexts on individuals’ career development, examine multifaceted aspects of self-development including its potential risk, and find strategies to help individuals experiences the higher sense of meaning and purpose in work in the changing world of work. We also discussed that it is important for the discipline to contribute to improving structural social inequality through taking a more diverse and inclusive view of work and promoting a more integrative perspective on life and work by expanding the definition of work.