The Theory and Practice of Vocational Guidance: A Selection of Readings is a compilation of papers that discusses theoretical foundations and practical applications of vocational guidance. The book presents 36 articles that cover various concerns in career counseling, both in theory and in practice. The first part of the text deals with theoretical concerns in vocational guidance, such as model for the translation of self-concepts into vocational terms; social factors in vocational development; young workers in their first jobs; and the criteria of vocational success. In the next part, the book presents the practical issues, which include needed counselor competencies in vocational aspects of counseling and guidance; an occupational classification for use in vocational guidance; psycho-social aspects of work; and key concepts in the use of psychological tests in vocational guidance. The book will be of great use to any professionals, but will be most useful to those involved in career counseling, such as human resource practitioners, school counselors, and college career advisers.

Career Development and Counseling: Theory and Practice in a Multicultural World provides a comprehensive overview of career development theories with a unique multicultural framework. Aligned with the latest standards set forth by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the text focuses on applications across a variety of settings and populations. Each chapter contains numerous case illustrations and learning activities designed to help readers understand the complexities of multicultural aspects of individual career development. Counseling students in training, in addition to working counseling professionals, will find this book as a useful resource for today’s diverse world. Career Development and Counseling is part of SAGE’s Counseling and Professional Identity Series.

Career Development and Systems Theory: Connecting Theory and Practice offers practitioners, researchers and students a comprehensive introduction to, and overview of, career theory; introduces the Systems Theory Framework of career development; and demonstrates its considerable contemporary and innovative application to practice. A number of authors have identified the framework as one of a small number of significant innovations in the career development literature. The Systems Theory Framework of career development was developed to provide coherence to the career development field by providing a comprehensive conceptualisation of the many existing theories and concepts relevant to understanding career development. It is not designed to be a theory of career development; rather systems theory is introduced as the basis for an overarching, or metatheoretical, framework within which all concepts of career development, described in the plethora of career theories, can be usefully positioned and utilised in both theory and practice. It has been applied to the career development of children, adolescents and women. Since its first publication, the Systems Theory Framework has been the basis of numerous publications focusing on theoretical application and integration, practice and research, with a growing number of these by authors other than the framework developers. Its application across cultures also has been emphasised. The theoretical and practical unity of the Systems Theory Framework makes this book a worthy addition to the professional libraries of practitioners, researchers and students, new to, or experienced in, the field of career development.

Praise for the First Edition: `For those of you who wonder if the counselling approach is of much use for career guidance, this book should be informative. The importance of working with insight into client feelings is exemplified by insights into the need to address and work through feelings so that blocks to career interest and good decision-making can be overcome... The book outlines basic counselling skills and more complex ones and many straightforward exercises; ways of generating career options; career drivers and satisfiers; decision-making exercises; and guidelines for investigating careers... This text has made me more aware of the importance of thinking in terms of counselling and group counselling in the work I do relating to careers′ - Guidance Matters Career counselling is often mistakenly described as giving people advice on finding the best career path. This fully revised and updated second edition of Career Counselling explains what career counselling actually is, why people seek it, and indicates the many contexts where it is used. It describes in detail the skills, tools and techniques of career counselling, useful to both professional career counsellors and those for whom career counselling is just part of their work. This practical guide examines the issues typically brought to career counselling, and includes a completely new chapter on the role of career counselling within organisations. Other areas covered include: o the dilemmas of independent and in-house career counsellors o screening and contracting o ways of facilitating decision-making and managing `blocks′ o self-management and continuing professional development. Career Counselling, Second Edition stresses the importance of adopting a `whole person′ approach whilst maintaining a career focus. Illustrated throughout by case studies from the authors′ experience, the book draws on approaches ranging from the humanistic work of Carl Rogers to solution-focused counselling. The book contains an invaluable resources section and includes a brand new appendix containing photocopiable exercises which practitioners and their clients can use in conjunction with their counselling sessions. Robert Nathan is Managing Director of Career Counselling Services, London.

This edited international collection of contemporary and emerging career development theories and models aims to inform the practice of career development professionals around the globe. In addition to serving both new and seasoned practitioners, the book is intended to be used as a text for undergraduate and graduate career counselling courses. In order to effectively serve clients and the public, career practitioners need to be equipped with the latest theories and models in the field. Ethical career practice requires practitioners to be up-to-date with their knowledge about theory and how theory informs practice. This publication provides practitioners with a tangible resource they can use to develop theory-informed interventions. Contains 43 chapters on the theories and models that define the practice of career development today Contributors are 60 of the leading career researchers and practitioners from four continents and nine countries: Australia, Canada, England, Finland, India, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States Featured authors include the original theorists and those who have adapted the work in unique ways to inform career development practice Presented in a reader-friendly format, each chapter includes a Case Vignette that illustrates how a theory or model can be applied in practice, and Practice Points that summarize key takeaways for career practitioners to implement with clients. Additional references are also included.

The Systems Theory Framework was developed to produce a metatheoretical framework through which the contribution of all theories to our understanding of career behaviour could be recognised. In addition it emphasises the individual as the site for the integration of theory and practice. Its utility has become more broadly acknowledged through its application to a range of cultural groups and settings, qualitative assessment processes, career counselling, and multicultural career counselling. For these reasons, the STF is a very valuable addition to the field of career theory. In viewing the field of career theory as a system, open to changes and developments from within itself and through constantly interrelating with other systems, the STF and this book are adding to the pattern of knowledge and relationships within the career field. The contents of this book will be integrated within the field as representative of a shift in understanding existing relationships within and between theories. In the same way, each reader wilt integrate the contents of the book within their existing views about the current state of career theory and within their current theory-practice relationship. [Back cover, ed].

"This is a must-have for any researcher in vocational psychology or career counseling, or anyone who wishes to understand the empirical underpinnings of the practice of career counseling." -Mark Pope, EdD College of Education, University of Missouri - St. Louis past president of the American Counseling Association Today's career development professional must choose from a wide array of theories and practices in order to provide services for a diverse range of clients. Career Development and Counseling: Putting Theory and Research to Work focuses on scientifically based career theories and practices, including those derived from research in other disciplines. Driven by the latest empirical and practical evidence, this text offers the most in-depth, far-reaching, and comprehensive career development and counseling resource available. Career Development and Counseling includes coverage of: Major theories of career development, choice, and adjustment Informative research on occupational aspirations, job search success, job satisfaction, work performance, career development with people of color, and women's career development Assessment of interests, needs and values, ability, and other important constructs Occupational classification and sources of occupational information Counseling for school-aged youth, diverse populations, choice-making, choice implementation, work adjustment, and retirement Special needs and applications including those for at-risk, intellectually talented, and work-bound youth; people with disabilities; and individuals dealing with job loss, reentry, and career transitions Edited by two of the leading figures in career development, and featuring contributions by many of the most well-regarded specialists in the field, Career Development and Counseling: Putting Theory and Research to Work is the one book that every career counselor, vocational psychologist, and serious student of career development must have.