A theory of vocational development.

TLDR

Vocational development is a developmental, irreversible process spanning roughly ten years, comprising preference, choice, entry, and adjustment, and culminating in a compromise among interests, capacities, values, and opportunities across three distinct periods. The chapter aims to discuss and delineate a theory of vocational development derived from psychological and counseling research. The theory synthesizes research findings to explain how preferences, interests, and capacities develop continuously across stages of choice, entry, and adjustment. The theory concludes that values and opportunities are ultimately compromised in vocational development.

Abstract

This chapter discusses a theory of vocational development, a theory inherent in and emergent from the research and philosophy of psychologists and counselors. Occupational choice is a developmental process, which takes place over a period of some 10 years. The process is irreversible. The process of occupational choice ends in a compromise between interests, capacities, values, and opportunities. There are three periods of occupational choice. A theory of vocational choice and adjustment would synthesize the results of research because they lend themselves to synthesis; it would take into account the continuity of the development of preferences and of the differences in the stages, choices, entry, and adjustment; it would explain the process through which interest, capacities. Values and opportunities are compromised. The chapter discusses the elements of the theory of vocational development. The term “development” is used rather than “choice,” because it comprehends the concepts of preference, choice, entry, and adjustment. There are many elements to a theory of vocational development.