Super's theory
One of Donald Super’s greatest contributions to career development has been his emphasis on the importance of the development of self-concept. According to Super, self-concept changes over time, and develops as a result of experience. As such, career development is lifelong.
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Hover your mouse over each stage to read more about its characteristics * Download a copy of Super's model (PDF - 272KB) (Word - 167KB)
Super developed the theories and work of colleague Eli Ginzberg – he thought that Ginzberg’s work had weaknesses, which he wanted to address. Super extended Ginzberg’s life and career development stages from three to five, and included different substages.
Super argues that occupational preferences and competencies, along with an individual’s life situations, all change with time and experience. Super developed the concept of vocational maturity, which may or may not correspond to chronological age: people cycle through each of these stages when they go through career transitions.
Super’s five life and career development stages Stage | Age | Characteristics | Growth | birth-14 | Development of self-concept, attitudes, needs and general world of work | Exploration | 15-24 | "Trying out" through classes, work hobbies. Tentative choice and skill development | Establishment | 25-44 | Entry-level skill building and stabilisation through work experience | Maintenance | 45-64 | Continual adjustment process to improve position | Decline | 65+ | Reduced output, prepare for retirement | Developmental tasks at these different stages Life stage | Adolescence 14-25 | Early adulthood 25-45 | Middle adulthood 45-65 | Late adulthood 65+ | Decline | Giving less time to hobbies | Reducing sports participation | Focusing on essentials | Reducing working hours