Career development in practice : a systems theory perspective

Abstract

PREFACE The career literature over the past two decades has been filled with discussion about the complexity of the workplace, with concepts such as serial careers, retraining, midlife career change, early retirement, retrenchment and related uncertainty of employment gaining an important place in writing by theorists, researchers, practitioners and futurists. At the same time, aspects of our interpersonal lives, so important to our career lives, are also undergoing change. The relationship between individuals and their work and family contexts is assuming greater importance. However, much of our career practice and the theory on which it is based has not been developed for such changing times. Conceptualisations of theory and practice are emerging which are attempting to take into account the increased complexity pf the individual's world. These conceptualisations include an increasing move towards convergence of career theory, and of career theory and career practice. At the same time, there is great pressure on schools and other institutions to prepare individuals more comprehensively for their careers and interpersonal lives. In Australia, the report of the Australian Education Council Review Committee, Young People's Participation in Post-compulsory Education and Training (1991), commonly known as the Finn Report, recommended that the profile of career education and career guidance in Australia be raised, and that it be embedded in the learning process throughout the curriculum from preschool through to post-compulsory education and training. Subsequent documents (Strengthening Career Education in Schools, NBEET, 1991; A National Training Framework for Careers Coordinators, NBEET, 1992) have identified the need for greater attention to quality inservice to support this recommendation, and have proposed that all parties involved in personnel preparation be included. These reports recognise that career development is an ongoing process, and that personnel from industry, commerce and education will require further professional support in this area In response, a new Australian journal, the Australian Journal of Career Development, has been published, and tertiary institutions are establishing new units or courses. The present book is also designed to contribute to the professional development of careers professionals in Australia. Career Development in Practice, therefore, aims to provide relevant theoretical and professional reading for individuals undergoing further education in career theory and practice, as well as careers practitioners in schools, tertiary institutions and human resource management areas in the public and private sectors.   …………………