Career Development
Career development is a lifelong process that is unique for
every individual. There are many influences that contribute
to your career such as:
-
Who you are as an
individual: This includes your self-concept,
interests, skills, knowledge, personality, ethnicity,
age, gender, ability, disability, health, beliefs and
sexual orientation. For example, your choice of hobbies
reflects your interests and abilities.
-
Your community: The
community plays an important role in forming your
identity, beliefs and attitudes. Members of your
community can be your family, peers, friends or
colleagues from your school or workplace, employers, the
media, community groups and clubs. They can influence the
lifestyle you want to aspire towards, the work you
choose, the life roles you take on and what you value
about yourself.
-
The environment and wider
society: This refers to the opportunities or
constraints caused by factors such as the region or
location you live in (ie rural or metropolitan), what is
happening in the employment market (eg are there job
vacancies in your career field), your socioeconomic
status (eg do you have to consider financial commitments
such as mortgages or children's education), historical
trends (eg changes in women's participation in the
workforce) and political decisions (eg government grants
available for enterprise development).
Random and unpredictable events may also impact on your
career. Different sets of influences will be dominant at
different stages in your life as you grow and develop as a
person.
For example, in childhood, ideas about life roles and work
are expressed in play and are based on the adults with whom
you identify strongly.
In adolescence, career exploration is based on identifying
interests, abilities, capacities and values; learning about
the world of work through observing adults at work;
participating in the workforce; and accessing career
resources and programs.
As an adult, your career development becomes more intricate.
Choices are made regarding lifestyle, the life roles you take
on, learning pathways, changing career direction,
employment/unemployment, enterprise opportunities, and many
other personal life events. See also
Career: more than just a job.