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


Of past and present
May not take into account societal changes of


are based on “social norms”
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?