Overview
The lecture covers Donald Super's five life and career development stages, explaining how personal experiences and self-concept shape career paths over the lifespan.
Super's Career Development Theory
- Donald Super created a developmental model describing how self-concept and experiences influence career choices.
- The model is known as the "Life-Career Rainbow," emphasizing multiple roles throughout life.
- Super believed career development involves several overlapping roles and five key developmental stages.
The Five Life and Career Stages
1. Growth (Ages 4–13)
- Children develop attitudes, interests, and a basic understanding of the work world.
- Self-concept forms through exploring environments and fulfilling important roles.
- Includes three sub-stages: fantasy (role play), interest (liking certain activities), and capacity (assessing abilities and job requirements).
2. Exploration
- Individuals try out roles through classes, work experiences, and hobbies.
- This stage involves identifying interests, capabilities, and making tentative occupational choices.
- Career development tasks include understanding oneself, exploring options, and obtaining initial work experience.
3. Establishment
- Individuals secure positions in chosen fields and focus on stability and advancement.
- Efforts center on gaining tenure, credibility, and pursuing career growth opportunities.
4. Maintenance (Ages 40s–60s)
- Focus shifts to holding, updating, or enriching one’s career status.
- Constancy, security, and stability become priorities; some may experience stagnation or plateau.
- Middle adulthood questions about life achievements and personal purpose may arise.
- Men may focus on career or health; women may pursue new goals as nurturing roles decline.
5. Decline (After Age 65)
- This phase marks transition out of the workforce, including retirement planning.
- Tasks involve decelerating work activities and dealing with reduced energy or occupational interests.
- Individuals increasingly disengage from work to focus on retirement.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Self-Concept — One's perception of self, shaped by experiences and preferences, guiding career choices.
- Life-Career Rainbow — Super's model integrating life roles with career development stages.
- Stagnation — Lack of career progress or advancement, often occurring during the maintenance stage.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of each career stage.
- Reflect on your current career stage and identify upcoming career development tasks.