A career development model attempts to capture the complexity of Mexican American women's life experiences within a culture driven by Western values toward work, family, and education. The model suggests that the career development process of Mexican American women is different than that of men and of White non-Mexican American women and that Mexican American women deal with particular issues when making career choices. Values, social issues, and culture are components of the career development model. As Mexican American women consider their values, they may question how a career choice will affect or change their value system. Social issues either create or hinder career opportunities for Mexican American women. These issues relate to class, educational level, discrimination, and employment participation. Career decisions become complex for Mexican American women when the element of culture is added to the process. Language, family structure and obligations, traditional sex roles, and religious factors are important elements of culture that impact career decisions. The complexity of the career choice process is demonstrated through a case scenario. Career choices interact reciprocally with values, attitudes, and self-efficacy. Career counseling considerations are offered to help counselors work more effectively with clients who are struggling to maintain their values, cultural obligations, and self-efficacy while confronting social issues and barriers. (Contains 45 references and a flow-charted depiction of the career development model.) (CDS)