Themes of Adult Career Development

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

1. Oral presentation

2. Review and critical analysis of texts and articles, synthesis and discussion in class of selected texts associated with a career issues associated to a ‘metaphor'

3. Introduction to career assessment and development / management techniques and materials as an illustration of the corresponding theories;

4. Collection of information, interpretation of career histories and case analysis in light of theories / models and implications for intervention

5. Career development exercises.

Learning Outcomes

(1) To identify issues of theoretical and applied scope in the human relationship with work and career; the psychological functions of work; To acquire an historical and contextual understanding;

 (2) To develop a systemic view by distinguishing a multiplicity of referents and issues about careers (organized in light of the 'metaphors' proposed by Inkson, Dries & Arnold, 2015) according to which to identify, understand and apply psychological and psychosocial models, research methodologies and outcomes

(3) To be able to apply the theoretical frameworks in the analysis and discussion of cases or situations

i. To know and apply interview (s) to collect data of vocational histories;

ii. Apply concepts and theories in the analysis of a case;

iii. Use assessment and career development techniques and materials as an illustration of the corresponding theories; and to experience them (career development exercises)

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1.Definition, psychological functions, meanings of work; engagement; contributions of Self-Determination Theory
2.Career concepts and implications; external and internal career;
3.Socio-historical context
4.Systemic understanding: models, theories and implications
a.Social roles, transition, conflict, conciliation
b.Vocational personality, person-environment correspondence in occupational choice, adjustment
c.Phases, processes and cycles over the life-span
d.Action /agency in career, self-concept expression, adaptability skills and career construction; social learning processes
e.Socio-structural factors of context ('inheritances') and gender, social class and race issues
f.Movements' and 'trajectories' of ‘career topography’; the 'new careers’
g.Social relations, networks and communities influences in career
h.Autobiographical construction, narrative identity and rhetorical function in career
5.Examples of career development models: Career management; Creativity

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 20.0%
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Resolution Problems: 40.0%

Bibliography

1.Inkson, K., Dries, N., & Arnold, J. (2015). Understanding careers (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.

2.Blustein,D. (2006). The Psychology of Working: A new perspective for career development, counseling, and public policy. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum

3.Hartung, P. & Subich, L. (eds) (2011). Developing self in work and career.  Concepts, cases and contexts. Washington: American Psychol. Association

4.Brown, S.D. & Lent, S.W. (2005). Career Development and Counseling: Putting Theory and Research to Work. Hoboken, NJ.: John Wiley and Sons.

5.Greenhaus, J.H., Callanan, G.A. & Godshalk, V.M. (2010). Career Management (4th ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

6.Peiperl, M., Arthur, M., Goffee, R. , &. Anand, N. (Eds) (2002).Career Creativity: Explorations in the Remaking of Work. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press

7.Vondracek, F, Ferreira, J. & Santos, E. (2009). Vocational behavior and development in times of social change: new perspectives for theory and practice. Inter. J. Educational Vocat. Guidance