The Systems Theory Framework (STF; McMahon & Patton, 1995; Patton & McMahon, 2006) of career development was proposed as a metatheoretical framework that accommodates the contribution of all theories and offers an integrative and coherent framework of career influences. In this article, the author provides an overview of the STF, outlines its…

Coherent career practice is conceptualized as an integrated reciprocal system involving 4 core elements: (1) career literacy; (2) career gumption; (3) career context; and (4) career integrity. It also accounts for "career integration", or the process by which these elements are assembled and reassembled. The source of client difficulties may…

The Chaos Theory of Careers (CTC; Pryor & Bright, 2011) construes both individuals and the contexts in which they develop their careers in terms of complex dynamical systems. Such systems perpetually operate under influences of stability and change both internally and in relation to each other. The CTC introduces new concepts to account for…

This article describes growth trends in professional and related occupations from both historical and projected perspectives. Professional and related occupations that are considered "hot" (based on growth and demand) are described and grouped according to educational requirements. Next, the authors discuss applicable values-based counseling…

When individuals seek career counseling, they have stories to tell about their working lives. The aim of career construction theory is to be comprehensive in encouraging employment counselors to listen for a client's career story from the perspectives of actor, agent, and author. Taking multiple perspectives on career stories enables counselors to…

The chaos theory of careers draws together a number of themes in current theory and research. This article applies some of these themes to career counseling. The chaos theory of careers is outlined, and a conceptual framework for understanding assessment and counseling issues that focuses on convergent and emergent qualities is presented. Three…

The changing work environment has brought new career realities that suggest an altered role for the career counselor. This article reaffirms the benefits of working with the subjective aspects of career, with a focus on the "intelligent career." Offers a way for counselors to accommodate personal and dynamic needs of their clients. (Contains 35…

Career counseling is complicated and involved, requiring counselors to use a conceptual framework to help guide them through the process. A case study is used to demonstrate how Gati's hierarchical model of vocational interests can assist counselors in working with clients concerned about their careers. (Author)

Asserts that what are currently regarded as peripheral career development activities will move to the center of career counseling. Argues that counseling in the informal economy and environmentally concerned career counseling will move up the agenda as traditional concepts of careers fade away. (Contains 23 references.) (Author/GCP)

For many years, professional career counseling practice has been based on psychological rather than sociological theories. This paper argues that sociological theories, particularly those of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu (P. Bourdieu and L. Wacquant, 1992) are important for the framework of the counselor. (Author/JDM)

Describes some challenges facing employment counselors who are working with mandated clients, since goals with mandated clients are often set by a government or a contracted agency. Proposes four counseling principles that are essential when dealing with mandated clients. They include: nondefensive open discussion; empathy; clarification of…

Career development theory, highly developed for younger persons, can help counselors work with older persons. Career development theories of Super, Tiedeman, Holland, Blau, Ginzberg, and Krumboltz and developmental theories of Levinson, Gould, and Neugarten are reviewed. Concepts from these theories can enhance effectiveness of counseling older…

Proposes that traditional theories of career development are inadequate due to the complexity of today's work world. As changes occur in society and the world-of-work, employment counselors need new ways of dealing with their clients. Introduces employment counselors to the "leisure theory of career development" as an alternative to…

A review of recent innovations in counseling style is presented along with an analysis of the advantages of these innovations over the more traditional counseling framework when dealing with disadvantaged clients. The authors recommend the use of these new, directive methods for the effective counseling of these groups. (Author)