Considerable work has been undertaken on career development services and activities intended to assist individuals, of any age and at any point throughout their lives, to make educational, training and occupational choices in order to manage their careers. The development of knowledge, life skills and attitudes to assist with decision making is also part of career guidance.

Research in this area can observe the role career guidance plays in assisting school students and young adults looking to identify clear education and training pathways. These pathways include: initial careers; existing workers looking for ways to further fulfil their career ambitions in current roles or alternative occupations; and the not employed trying to enter the labour market for the first time or re-enter it after an absence.