Career Development Theories

Paper Summary:

Discusses individual psychology and sociology in analyzing how individuals define their place in society through their careers. Cites difficiencies in both disciplines. Counseling individuals to determine their occupational goals. Objective of achieving social justice for groups of workers. Impact of employment-related laws. Values-based approach to career planning.

From the Paper:

"Although the dominant theories of career development bring together individual psychology and sociology--the individual's career is a principal method of defining his or her place in society and in life--there are certain features of these theories that expose their deficiencies as both sociology and psychology. Consider the recourse that both Zunker (1997) and Lowman (1991) have to the Holland six-factor typology, also called the Holland Occupational Classification System, in organizing their explanation of hands-on, utilitarian, practical application of career-development theory to counseling of would-be employees and consultation for would-be employers. It sounds so simple and straightforward to explain career development by way of a range of discrete--though sometimes overlapping and converging--attributes of those who have careers. Accordingly, ..."

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