Abstract

In this chapter, I describe advances as well as problems that interfere with advances in career development theories. To provide a context for this approach, I first discuss the need for and importance of career development theories. Then, I examine problems in developing new theories. To understand advances in career development theories, I consider the role of the theorist and others in this process, as well as the uses of theories. This provides a perspective to examine advances in career development theories beginning with trait-and-factor approaches. Then I discuss advances in developmental models of career choice followed by constructivist and narrative approaches and more recent relational and other approaches to career development. After considering social cognitive career theory, the chapter ends with concluding remarks about the future of career choice and development theories.