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Stories have always shaped the way I understand the world. As a child, I created them while running through forest trails and reading fantasy novels, imagining countless magical futures. This curiosity – this instinct to explore, build and reshape narratives – has guided my career in K-12 education, non-profit programs for writers and, now, post-secondary student support. As a writer, I’m drawn to personal narratives and their power to shape both identity and opportunity. CERIC’s recent Cannexus conference reinforced how storytelling – shared in community – can help us make sense of change, manage uncertainty and imagine new possibilities.
Beyond thought-provoking discussions on career development and workforce shifts, the conference provided a space to connect with like-minded professionals and hear how they, too, found themselves in this field. Few of us intentionally chose career development; rather, we were pushed, pulled or called into helping others navigate one of life’s greatest journeys: weaving self and society through story. Storytelling echoed through many sessions, particularly in how we frame our own narratives and listen to others. In a world shaped by rapid change, these shared stories help us develop the agility, resilience and confidence to move forward.
Three sessions, in particular, deepened my appreciation for storytelling’s role in building meaningful careers. They reinforced how curiosity, playfulness and community can open doors to new possibilities.
Career: A constellation of all the things you do
Dr. Kevin Glavin’s pre-conference session, Practicing Life Designing Using the Career Construction Interview (CCI), reinforced that careers aren’t linear but rather constellations of experiences, decisions and identities. Drawing on Mark Savickas’s work, Glavin described CCI as an “interpersonal process of helping people design a work life,” shifting career development from rigid pathways to a holistic, personalized approach that empowers individuals to shape their evolving stories in conversation with others.
Savickas’s idea that careers are constellations resonated with me. University students often feel pressured to fit a specific career mold, but this session emphasized that careers are dynamic. Instead of defining their future by job titles, students can construct meaningful narratives around their experiences, skills, and values – stories that grow alongside them. Encouraging this mindset helps them feel more confident in navigating the unknown. More importantly, when students share their stories with others, they gain valuable insights, empathy and perspective, which help them refine their sense of self and direction.
Evolving markets require evolving stories
Marty Apodaca’s session, A Storied Perspective: Deconstructing the Career Construction Interview, explored narrative and constructivist techniques in career development. He emphasized that career growth is fluid, shaped by technology, societal shifts and personal evolution. As the demand for both human and technical skills grows, students must learn to articulate their adaptability, resilience and values. By deconstructing an actual CCI, we stepped into the practitioner’s role, seeing firsthand how a client’s responses reveal their unique career constellation.
What stood out most was the reminder that storytelling isn’t just career assistance – it’s career empowerment. While practitioners may recognize themes in a client’s story, meaning belongs to the storyteller. Sometimes, their takeaway is different from what we expect, which reinforces that personal narratives – while powerful for listeners – are transformative for speakers. Sharing stories in community allows for validation, deeper reflection and new interpretations. Reflecting on experiences, identifying themes and shaping a personal story promotes self-awareness and confidence – essential tools in today’s workforce.
The power of play
Despite being a notorious hazard for bare feet, LEGO offers a powerful way to construct story and identity through metaphor. Andrea Fruhling’s session, Brick by Brick: Unlocking Innovation Through Metaphors and LEGO, showcased how hands-on storytelling can externalize thoughts in ways words alone often can’t. Using LEGO to answer “Who are you?” allowed participants to express personal narratives through play, revealing deep new understandings about identity and work.
What struck me most was how play unlocks deeper self-reflection. In just 30 minutes, I learned about my tablemates’ pasts, passions and pains – places where polite conversation wouldn’t have gone. I also made unexpected connections between different aspects of my own identity and career path, sparking further reflection days later. This reinforced that career storytelling isn’t just about crafting a polished pitch – it’s about embracing the experiences that shape us. Sharing these playful storytelling experiences with others creates an environment of trust and vulnerability, allowing for greater self-discovery. Encouraging students to engage in creative storytelling methods like LEGO Serious Play can help them uncover strengths and aspirations they might not recognize through traditional career exercises.
Embracing storytelling for career agility
Storytelling is more than a tool for career development – it is the foundation of career agility. As the Cannexus25 conference reinforced, careers aren’t linear but are ever-changing constellations of experiences, shaped by personal growth, societal changes and emerging technologies. The sessions I attended emphasized that when individuals own and speak their stories, they gain the confidence and adaptability needed to navigate an uncertain job market.
For students, storytelling isn’t just about securing a job; it is about developing a framework for lifelong career decision-making. Whether through verbal processing styles like Career Construction Interviews or hands-on, creative methods like LEGO Serious Play, storytelling helps individuals build self-awareness, resilience, and a sense of agency. Just as importantly, storytelling in community allows students to see themselves reflected in others’ journeys, reinforcing that uncertainty is a shared experience and that change is something we navigate together.
As post-secondary career practitioners, we play a vital role in helping students explore and shape their narratives. Whether through thoughtful conversation or hands-on engagement, we create spaces where students can safely experiment with their stories. By integrating storytelling into career development, we encourage students not only to reflect on where they’ve been but also to imagine their next chapter with curiosity and playfulness, embracing their potential futures without fear. In doing so, we remind them – and ourselves – that storytelling is a communal act, where empathy, growth and possibility flourish.
