Career Development

“Career development is the lifelong process of managing learning, work, leisure, and
transitions in order to move toward a personally determined and evolving preferred
future.” - Canadian standards and guidelines for career development practitioners.
 Definition
Career development, a major aspect of human
development, is the process through which a person's work
identity is formed. It spans his or her entire lifetime.
Career Development is important because knowledge,
skills, and experience supports your ability to create a
meaningful life.
 When does it begin?
Career development begins with an individual's earliest awareness of
the ways in which people make a living. For example when a child
notices that some people are doctors, others are firefighters and some
are carpenters, it signals the start of this process, which continues as
that person begins to explore occupations and ultimately decides
what career to pursue himself or herself.
Career development doesn't end there. One must get the required
education and training, then apply for and get a job, and ultimately
advance in it. For most people, it will also include changing careers and
jobs at least once, but probably more often.
 No intervention!
It is important to note that career development occurs without any intervention in almost all
individuals as they mature. There isn't a set age for when it will begin—some people will start to
think about occupational choices very early in life, while others won't give this subject much
thought, at least regarding how it applies to them, until they are fairly close to having to decide
how they will earn money. While many individuals go through this process independently, almost
everyone can benefit greatly from getting career guidance.
A career counselor or other similarly trained specialist, career education, or another means of
managing one's career development, often results in an individuals forging a more satisfying
and successful career path. This type of intervention can begin as early as elementary school and
should continue through adulthood. Many people find themselves in need of some sort of
guidance as they encounter problems or must make decisions about their careers.
 Factors that Influence Career
Development
Career development is influenced by several factors and the way these factors interact with one
another. They are:
oPersonal Characteristics: 
Personality type, interests and work-related values all play a role in career development. You must
pay close attention to these traits when choosing a career. A thorough self assessment will help you
learn about your personal characteristics and will allow you to find careers that are a good match for
you.
oSocio-Economic Factors: 
Socio-economic factors can be a barrier to career development. Your financial situation, for
example, may threaten to keep you from attending college which may be necessary to purse a
particular career. Fortunately there are ways of overcoming barriers such as limited financial
resources, namely student loans, financial aid and scholarships.
 Factors that Influence Career
Development
oPhysical and Mental Abilities: 
Some of us are better suited to some careers than we are to others due to our
physical and mental abilities and limitations. It is important to find an occupation
that makes the best use possible of your abilities.
oChance Factors: 
Chance factors are life events over which we have little or no control. They can
influence what careers we choose and how we progress in them. An example
would the need to support a family financially keeping you from pursuing an
advanced education.
Pie-Chart
Look at this pie-
chart to think
about your
future Career
Development.
Thank you
for
attention!