Theory in career development counselling provides a map that counsellors can use to understand and structure the career counselling process. It also provides a means to communicate this understanding and structuring to their clients as part of the counselling intervention. The chaos theory of careers draws attention to the complexity,…

Recent developments in the knowledge-driven, postindustrial economy have radically affected college students' prospects for entering and completing successful careers. In this volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment, fewer organizations find profitability in hiring, training, and retaining workers. Over the last 20 years,…

This paper examines how separate behavioral science disciplines can be brought together to more fully understand the dynamics of contemporary careers. We adopt one interdisciplinary framework--that of the "intelligent career"--and use it to examine how separate disciplinary approaches relate to one another. The intelligent career framework…

The chaos theory of careers emphasizes both stability and change in its account of career development. This article outlines counseling strategies derived from this emphasis in terms of convergent or probability thinking and emergent or possibility thinking. These 2 perspectives are characterized, and practical counseling strategy implications are…

Outlines the contextualist perspective upon career research, theory, and practice and explores the possibility of its adoption in the mainstream of the career field. Examines conceptualizations of the environment in mainstream career theories, underlying assumptions, the contextualist work hypothesis, and metaphors illustrating the contrast…

Discusses various components of adult cognitive development research, such as post-formal thinking and wisdom, with particular reference to the changing nature of careers. Offers 19 propositions concerning the thought processes characterizing effective management of career by individuals and discusses implications of the propositions for career…

Examines the effects that changes in work structure and conditions, such as diminished job security, have on individuals. Explores the importance and meaning of work from a psychoanalytic perspective, focusing on ways in which predicted changes may create anxiety. Suggests that counselors in the workplace be aware of these issues. (RJM)

American workers change jobs more frequently than workers in older industrial countries. The movement from a manufacturing economy to a service economy involves many job changes for workers. Consequently, workers need flexibility. Counselors are challenged to help clients view life holistically, recognizing the dimension of quality of life.…

Although counselors have implicitly understood and used a number of its tenets, an action-theoretical approach is a relatively recent development in career counseling. This digest analyzes the tenets of this approach. An action approach to career counseling sees clients as agents who steer and direct their activities. It represents an integration…

The need for lifelong career development in Canada is becoming increasingly evident as more people switch jobs. To meet this need, it has been suggested that counseling services for adults should be organized in a three-tiered structure. Such a structure would ensure that individuals have access to a counselor in accordance with their level of…

A constructivist framework can often appear vague and abstract to the novice counselor. The abstract and nebulous realm of meaning-making, which is central to constructivist approaches, can be frustrating for a linear, task-oriented counselor. This digest explains the approaches used in constructivist counseling. The need to use constructivist…

Career development in Canada has been gaining prominence over the past decade. This digest outlines the principles on which career development must remain focused. First, the meaning of "career success" needs to be reconceptualized. With companies downsizing, people need to be able to view themselves as successful, despite changing…