Leveraging Neuroscience-Informed Resilience Principles to Support Clients' Career Decision-Making

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people's lives, requiring a shift in focus to short-term survival and management of changes in relationships, academic and work environments, and future career options. Understandably, one of the most seminal aspects of career development—deciding on a future career—can seem overwhelming or even irrelevant in the face of such challenges. Neuroscience research offers a scientifically grounded framework for understanding the impact of chronic acute stressors, such as COVID-19, on functioning and can provide direction for interventions that foster resilience and support clients' ability to reengage in career decision-making. We discuss research related to the neuroscience of stress and resilience and ways to apply that information within career counseling.