Career Development Theory Supers Self Concept Theory Overview

Career Development Theory Super’s Self Concept Theory & Overview of Life Stages Adapted from The Career Fitness Program (8 th Ed. ) http: //www. dreams-goals. com/resources/powerpoints/ Presented by: Kathleen E. High, M. Ed. , CCSP, GCDF-I Independent Education/Career Consultant Your Dreams & Goals 2/13/2022 © 2019 Kathleen E. High 1

Super’s Self-Concept Theory • We differ in abilities, interests and values • Every occupation requires certain traits • Each of us is qualified for a number of occupations • Vocational preferences and skills change with time and experience • Selecting a career involves the following stages (next slides) 2/13/2022 © 2019 Kathleen E. High 2

Career Selection Stages: • Growth • physical, emotional • Exploration • Fantasy, tentative, reality testing • Establishment • Offers experiences for growth • Maintenance • Maintain or improve in career area • Disengagement • See no new challenges or chances for mobility 2/13/2022 © 2019 Kathleen E. High 3

Supers Self-Concept Theory (Cont’d) • Career patterns are influenced by: • Socioeconomic level • Mental ability • Personality • Opportunities to which exposed • Career development = Self concept development • Work and life satisfaction depend on ability to have sufficient outlets for interests, personality, values, and traits. 2/13/2022 © 2019 Kathleen E. High 4

Overview of Life Stages • Late Adolescence (16 -22) • Provisional Adulthood (22 -28) • Thirties Transition (28 -32) • Time of Rooting (32 -39) • Turning-Point Years (39 -43) • Restabilization/Bearing Fruit (43 -50) • Renewal (50 -60) • Transition Toward Retirement (60+) 2/13/2022 © 2019 Kathleen E. High 5

Notes About Super’s Theories • Theories are based on “social norms” • Of past and present • May not take into account societal changes of • Present & Future (Rapidly-changing world) • (See “Planning for an Unpredictable Future”) • May not necessarily reflect cultural differences • (See “True Self”) • Individuals cannot make satisfying choices when possessing a poor self-concept 2/13/2022 © 2019 Kathleen E. High 6

Personal Application: Respond to the following prompts: 1. What did I learn from this theory? 2. How does this theory relate to my life? 3. I am________________ 4. I need________________ 5. I want________________ 6. I would like to change_________ 7. If all goes well in the next five years, I will be doing the following things_________ 8. If things go poorly in the next five years, I will be doing_______________ 9. Reviewing past jobs or volunteer experiences I have had, what did I like best/least about each one? Is there a pattern? 2/13/2022 © 2019 Kathleen E. High 7