06/01/2025

Hope Theory: A Tool for Repatriates Navigating Career Reintegration

By Maggie Musty

In today’s global economy, it is increasingly common for job seekers to work abroad for months or even years. Some employees regularly move in and out of international work, while others go abroad and then return to their home in the United States looking to reintegrate into the local workforce. In an ever-changing work world, workers could find themselves returning home unexpectedly, which increases feelings of loss and uncertainty. Career professionals can play a key role in supporting this transition by addressing the unique challenges returning professionals face and offering targeted strategies for a meaningful job search.

Reentry, also known as repatriation, is a psychological process that involves more than just transitioning back into the home country’s workforce. Repatriates face additional challenges, including readjusting to the culture and environment and coping with changes that occurred while they were abroad. In addition to typical job search challenges, repatriates can also experience feelings of loss and uncertainty (MacDonald & Arthur, 2005). For example, repatriates may long for the community and lifestyle they had abroad, finding themselves struggling to regain a sense of community and purpose at home. During the repatriate’s career search, career professionals can provide holistic support to draw out the repatriate’s career goals and encourage them to envision meaningful career pathways.

Applying Hope Theory to Career Reentry

Career professionals can foster a positive outlook and help repatriates take ownership of their job search by using Snyder’s Hope Theory (Snyder et al., 2000) as a guiding framework. Rooted in positive psychology, Hope Theory centers on three core elements (Employee Assistance Program, 2022):

1. goal thinking (setting desired and tangible goals)
2. pathways thinking (developing multiple routes to reach those goals)
3. agency of thought (the belief that you can achieve these goals). 

Snyder describes hope as “the sum of the perceived capabilities to produce routes to desired goals, along with the perceived motivation to use those routes” (Snyder, 2000a, p. 8). In other words, these elements are interconnected and work together to generate hope (Zikic et al., 2006). When the repatriating client struggles with one or more of these elements, they may feel less hopeful and may be less likely to move forward to achieve their goals (Bainbridge Island Review, 2018). Career professionals can use Hope Theory to give clients tools that will help them cope with the uncertainty and emotional challenges of returning home and persevere in their job search. According to the Hope Research Center (n.d.), “hope is the belief that the future will be better and you have the power to make it so” (para. 1) In other words, Hope Theory enables repatriates to imagine positive outcomes for their future, which can help them cope with uncertainty and regain a feeling of control over their job search.

Goal Thinking

During reentry, repatriates may struggle with adapting to a new life and feel a loss of direction. Goal thinking offers purpose in the job search and helps repatriates regain a sense of clarity and control by encouraging them to formulate plans of action. The authors of Hope Theory believe that goals must be personally meaningful and tangible to generate hope. When goals are clearly defined and perceived as attainable, they become more motivating and realistic to pursue (Zikic et al., 2006). Career professionals can ask clients to create a vision board or word map that reflects career hopes that align with their values, interests and skills. This reflective process can help repatriates reconnect with what matters most to them. The career professional can then help the client identify recurring themes and translate them into SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Identifying clear goals provides motivation and sets the foundation for pathways thinking.

Pathways Thinking

While goal thinking defines what the client wants to achieve, pathways thinking focuses on how to get there. Snyder emphasized that considering multiple routes increases the likelihood of achieving a goal and strengthens a client’s ability to pivot and overcome obstacles (Zikic et al., 2006) The career professional can ask the client to take one SMART goal and map out several pathways to success. This can help the client realize that they can overcome challenges by shifting to a different route. Additionally, the career professional can help the client consider potential constraints, such as the need for additional education, skills, or experience, and then rank each path based on its feasibility. It is helpful to encourage the client to focus on one or two of the most promising paths, and regularly reflect on how each path aligns with their values, interests, and skills.

Agency Thinking

While goal setting and pathways thinking lay a foundation for career exploration, agency thinking can propel repatriates forward in the job search process. This final component increases feelings of self-confidence and provides motivation to persevere by generating “mental willpower”, which Zikic et al. define as an individual’s belief “that they possess the ability to begin, persevere, and reach their goals.” (2006, p. 637). Mental Willpower is essential for maintaining hope and momentum while pursuing pathways (Employee Assistance Program, 2022). Career professionals can help clients build confidence by using tools such as Clifton Strengths and VIA Character Strengths to identify strengths, skills, and unique international experiences relevant to career goals and pathways. Breaking down goals into smaller, actionable sub-goals, such as seeking additional training, identifying networking opportunities, or volunteering to gain experience, can help the client avoid feeling overwhelmed. Celebrating small wins also helps sustain willpower and provides motivation to persist with the job search.

Framework for Motivation

Snyder’s Hope Theory provides a framework that motivates repatriates to engage in their career search and fosters hope during a time of readjustment. Additionally, career professionals can connect clients to local mental health resources and help them identify other support systems that they can rely on to ease the transition, such as mentors, friends and family. By taking a holistic approach that includes Hope Theory interventions, career professionals can motivate clients to find purposeful career paths and successfully navigate the transition home.

References

Bainbridge Island Review. (2018, November 6). The science and power of hope: It’s about taking charge of your future: Teenage pressure cooker. Bainbridge Island Review. https://www.bainbridgereview.com/opinion/the-science-and-power-of-hope-its-about-taking-charge-of-your-future-teenage-pressure-cooker/?blm_aid=0 

Employee Assistance Program. (2022, July 19). Lessons from “The science and power of hope.” University of Texas at Austin. https://eap.utexas.edu/news/lessons-science-and-power-hope 

Hope Research Center. (n.d.). Hope research center. The University of Oklahoma- Tulsa. https://www.ou.edu/tulsa/hope 

MacDonald, S., & Arthur, N. (2005). Connecting career management to repatriation adjustment. Career Development International, 10(2), 145–159. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430510588338 

Snyder, C. R., Feldman, D. B., Taylor, J. D., Schroeder, L. L. & Adams, V. III (2000). The roles of hopeful thinking in preventing problems and enhancing strengths. Applied & Preventative Psychology, 9, 249-70.

Zikic, J., Novicevic, M. M., Harvey, M., & Breland, J. (2006). Repatriate career exploration: A path to career growth and success. Career Development International, 11(7), 633–649. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430610713490 

Maggie Musty is the Admissions Counselor at Lewis & Clark Graduate School. She is an experienced advisor and facilitator, with a diverse background in study abroad, first-year experience programs, and admissions, both in the U.S. and Latin America. She takes a holistic approach to supporting students, helping each individual leverage their skills and experience to pursue meaningful academic and career opportunities that align with their personal goals and values. Maggie holds an MA in International Education, has taught first-year courses on career development and student success, and is currently completing her certification as a Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP). She can be contacted at maggiemusty@gmail.com or www.linkedin.com/in/maggiemusty/