Eli ginzberg career choice theory

Professional Development Services career-theory-model-super 20170501.docx careers.govt.nz

Donald Super Developmental self-concept Donald Super’s career model is based on the belief that self-concept changes over time and develops as a result of experience.

One of Donald Super’s greatest contributions to career development has been his emphasis on the importance of the development of self-concept. According to Super, self-concept changes over time and develops as a result of experience. As such, career development is lifelong.

Super’s five life and career development stagesSuper’s five life and career development stagesSuper’s five life and career development stagesSuper’s five life and career development stages

Super developed the theories and work of colleague Eli Ginzberg. Super felt that Ginzberg’s work had weaknesses, which he wanted to address. Super extended Ginzberg’s work on life and career development stages from three to five, and included different sub-stages.

Stage 1: GrowthStage 1: GrowthStage 1: GrowthStage 1: Growth Age 0–14 Characteristics: Development of self-concept, attitudes, needs and general world of work

Stage 2: ExplorationStage 2: ExplorationStage 2: ExplorationStage 2: Exploration Age 15–24 Characteristics: “Trying out” through classes, work experience, hobbies. Tentative choice and skill development

Stage 3: EstablishmentStage 3: EstablishmentStage 3: EstablishmentStage 3: Establishment Age 25–44 Characteristics: Entry-level skill building and stabilisation through work experience

Stage 4: MaintenanceStage 4: MaintenanceStage 4: MaintenanceStage 4: Maintenance Age 45-64 Characteristics: Continual adjustment process to improve position

Stage 5: DeclineStage 5: DeclineStage 5: DeclineStage 5: Decline Age 65+ Characteristics: Reduced output, prepare for retirement

Career development Theories and models

2 Professional Development Services careers.govt.nz

Developmental tasks at the different stagesDevelopmental tasks at the different stagesDevelopmental tasks at the different stagesDevelopmental tasks at the different stages

Super argues that occupational preferences and competencies, along with an individual’s life situations all change with time and experience. Super developed the concept of vocational maturity, which may or may not correspond to chronological age: people cycle through each of these stages when they go through career transitions.

DeclineDeclineDeclineDecline In adolescence:In adolescence:In adolescence:In adolescence:

Giving less time to hobbies.

In early adulthood:In early adulthood:In early adulthood:In early adulthood:

Reducing sports participation.

In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:

Focusing on essentials.

In late adulthood:In late adulthood:In late adulthood:In late adulthood:

Reducing working hours.

MaintenanceMaintenanceMaintenanceMaintenance

In adolescence:In adolescence:In adolescence:In adolescence:

Verifying current occupational choice.

In early adulthood:In early adulthood:In early adulthood:In early adulthood:

Making occupational position secure.

In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:

Holding one's own against competition.

In late adulthood:In late adulthood:In late adulthood:In late adulthood:

Keeping what one enjoys.

EstablishmentEstablishmentEstablishmentEstablishment

In adolescence:In adolescence:In adolescence:In adolescence:

Getting started in a chosen field.

In early adulthood:In early adulthood:In early adulthood:In early adulthood:

Settling down in a suitable position.

In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:

Developing new skills.

In late adulthood:In late adulthood:In late adulthood:In late adulthood:

Doing things one has wanted to do.

ExplorationExplorationExplorationExploration

In adolescence:In adolescence:In adolescence:In adolescence:

Learning more about opportunities.

In early adulthood:In early adulthood:In early adulthood:In early adulthood:

Finding desired opportunity.

In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:

Identifying new tasks to work on.

In late adulthood:In late adulthood:In late adulthood:In late adulthood:

Finding a good retirement place.

GrowthGrowthGrowthGrowth

In adolescence:In adolescence:In adolescence:In adolescence:

Developing a realistic self- concept.

In In In In early adulthood:early adulthood:early adulthood:early adulthood:

Learning to relate to others.

In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:In middle adulthood:

Accepting one's own limitations.

In late adulthood:In late adulthood:In late adulthood:In late adulthood:

Developing and valuing non- occupational roles.