In this document the author provides a brief overview of A. Bandura's self-efficacy theory. The author also provides a discussion of the value of this theory to career counselors, which includes particularly useful features of the concept of self-efficacy and suggestions for its application in career assessment and counseling, with a special focus…

Social Cognitive Career Theory suggests that self-efficacy and outcome expectations underlie vocational interests, goals, and actions. Counselors can use this theoretical framework to assess women's perceived career barriers and the effects of personal and contextual factors on vocational choices. (SK)

In the typical career appraisal, the structure of client and counselor roles and the focus of the assessments and interpretation obstruct its intended purpose in four major ways: casting clients as subordinates, discounting self-assessment by favoring counselor assessments, de-emphasizing the influence of context, and focusing on a single choice.…