ABSTRACT
This qualitative study explores the career development experiences of high school students affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye. Semi-structured interviews were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis, yielding four themes: perceived impact on career choice, role models and inspiration, career-related anxiety, and changes in study behaviors and motivation. The emergent themes were subsequently interpreted through Career Construction Theory to provide a theoretically informed understanding of participants’ experiences. Findings indicate that the earthquake temporarily disrupted career concern and control, while also fostering curiosity and confidence through meaning-making, prosocial goals, and renewed academic engagement. Role models and lived disaster experiences contributed to the reconstruction of career narratives. Overall, the findings highlight the dynamic and context-dependent nature of adolescent career development following disasters and underscore the importance of trauma-informed approaches in career counseling while preserving the inductive foundations of qualitative inquiry.