A Theory for Everything? Is a Knowledge of Career Development Theory Necessary to Understand Career Decision Making?

Abstract

Career decisions are complex ones. Whether clients plan their career in a systematic way, carefully considering their options and making an informed choice or build their careers their own way -seizing opportunities, taking chances and profiting from 'chance' and serendipity, career guidance professionals need a least a cursory knowledge of career development theory to adequately understand these decisions. As practitioners, we do not work with homogenised groups, we work with individuals -with varying levels of internal and external constraints on career choice. Career decisions are not always made in a considered and informed way. Evidence from Brimrose (2006) suggest that only 25% of the population use a strategic or rational approach to career decision making. In fact, Gladwell (2005) suggests intuitive decision making may be more effective. As Mitchell (2003) attests 'careers are seldom planned but are often developed by being aware of and acting on the landmarks that appear on the way' (Mitchell, 2003, p.4). This dichotomy has led to certain amount of ambivalence to career theory from practitioners. found that practitioners were "virtually unanimous in their dismissal of the value of theories of guidance…it was frequently described as 'airy-fairy' or 'wooly'…" , p.391). Closs (2001 argues that practitioners should focus on meeting the needs of clients and not concern themselves with theory. While development theory can attempt to explain the past experiences, quantifying chance and clients ability to profit from it, is more difficult. However, an understanding of career development theory can help us adapt our professional practice to individual need.

The technology implications of master’s level education in the professionalization of nursing: A narrative inquiry

“…Meanwhile, our findings of bridging self‐assertion and self‐surrender also highlighted the importance of proper matching of oneself in nursing structure. This indeed highlights the importance of making considered and informed career decision (Matthews, ), for pre‐master nurses to choose a master's programme and master‐prepared nurses to create synergy in a system. Developing mentorship for nursing career may be one direction to support nurses to extend advanced nurse practices, which contributes to the professionalization of nursing (Banister, Bowen‐Brady, & Winfrey, ).…”