Super’s Self Concept Theory & Overview of Life Stages (Chapter 1) Kathleen E. High, M.Ed. Adapted from: Sukienni, D. Bendat, W. Raufman, L. (2007). The Career Fitness Program (8th Ed.).

 We differ in abilities, interests and values  Every occupation requires certain traits  Each of us is qualified for a number of occupations  Vocational preferences and skills change with time and experience  Selecting a career involves the following stages (next slides)

 Growth  physical, emotional  Exploration  Fantasy, tentative, reality testing  Establishment  Offers experiences for growth  Maintenance  Maintain or improve in career area  Disengagement  See no new challenges or chances for mobility

 Career patterns are influenced by:  Socioeconomic level  Mental ability  Personality  Opportunities to which exposed  Career development = Self concept development  Work and life satisfaction depend on ability to have sufficient outlets for interests, personality, values, and traits.

 Late Adolescence (16-22)  Provisional Adulthood (22-28)  Thirties Transition (28-32)  Time of Rooting (32-39)  Turning-Point Years (39-43)  Restabilization/Bearing Fruit (43-50)  Renewal (50-60)  Transition Toward Retirement (60+)

 Theories are based on “social norms”  Of past and present  May not take into account societal changes of Present & Future (Rapidly-changing world) (We will discuss later)  May not necessarily reflect cultural differences (We will discuss later)  Individuals cannot make satisfying choices when possessing a poor self-concept

Respond to the following prompts: 1. What did I learn from this theory? 2. How does this theory relate to my life? 3. I am________________________________ 4. I need_______________________________ 5. I want_______________________________ 6. I would like to change_________________ 7. If all goes well in the next five years, I will be doing the following things_________________ 8. If things go poorly in the next five years, I will be doing______________________________ 9. Reviewing past jobs or volunteer experiences I have had, what did I like best/least about each one? Is there a pattern?