Career Choice

Historically, career choice has been viewed as something for which an individual considers his or her own unique constellation of interests, skills, and values; compares that self-information to what he or she knows of the world of work; and chooses an occupation to pursue. From a more contemporary lifespan perspective, however, career choice is not viewed merely as an event. It is understood as a complex process in which an event of choice occurs multiple times throughout the lifespan. This entry describes the career choice-related processes that occur throughout various life stages, identifying influences on career choice formation as well as known challenges to choosing a career.