Career Development Theories

Career Development Theories

“Don’t let theories boggle your mind.”
~John Krumboltz

Super
 Useful framework- acknowledges personal and
situational factors affecting decisions
 Theory reflects life as most of us live it
 Key concepts: life span, life space, and self-
concept
 The 3 concepts build upon 14 assumptions or
propositions

Super Continued
 Life span: career development is a lifelong
process, identified by stages
 Life space: “while workers are busy earning a
living, they are also busy living a life” (Savickas,
1993); life roles
 Self-concept: “picture of the self in some role,
situation, or position, performing some set of
functions, or in some web of relationships” (Super,
1963)

Super Continued:
Highlights of 14
assumptions
 Multipotentiality- people are qualified for a number of occupations
 Preferences & competencies change with time and experience
 Life stages: maxi cycle= growth, establishment, etc. mini cycle=
transitions or destabilizations
 Process of career development is dev. & implementing
occupational self concepts

Super’s Stages (Maxi- cycle)
Growth Stage: Age 0-14
WatchWatch adults and the work role they play;
FormForm self-concept; DevelopDevelop understanding of meaning and purpose
of work
Exploration Stage: Age 14-24
RecognizeRecognize and accept need to make career decisions and obtain
relevant information; BecomeBecome aware of interests and abilities and
how they relate to work opportunities; IdentifyIdentify possible fields and
levels of work consistent with these abilities and interests; ObtainObtain
training to develop skills and advance occupational entry and/or
enter occupations fulfilling interests and abilities.