ABSTRACT
This chapter utilises the concept of digital footprints to illustrate the complexities of social justice work in the contemporary neoliberal context. These complexities are detailed via five sections. The first situates the need for a social justice perspective in career guidance in a context shaped by neoliberal globalisation. Secondly, the growing importance of having an online presence for career development is detailed. Despite employers’ increasing usage of digital footprints to screen candidates, research with university students in Australia indicates that their understanding of digital footprint management is variable. The third section draws on this research to detail the current status of career guidance within higher education in Australia, in relation to digital footprint awareness. Fourthly, feminist theory is employed to illuminate emergent dilemmas regarding the use of social media. The final section outlines a possible social justice agenda regarding social media and the implications of this for career guidance professionals. In its exploration of social media this chapter offers new theoretical insights and explores opportunities for social justice work in contemporary career guidance practice.
