The study sought to understand adolescents' perceived career challenges and needs in a disadvantaged context using the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). A qualitative research design based on semi-structured interviews was conducted with 12 Grade 9 and Grade 10 learners from a disadvantaged background. The results of the study indicated a strong reciprocal relationship between adolescents' social environment, their cognitive processes such as self-efficacy beliefs and their career development. Many of the learners' career challenges were contextually based, and their career needs were a response to their career challenges, which corresponds with the theoretical underpinnings of the SCCT. It was therefore thought that a career intervention based on the tenets of the SCCT would be appropriate for this study. (Contains 3 notes.)