Super’s Life-Span Theory of Career Development

Super’s Life-Span Theory of Career Development suggests that career choices and development are ongoing processes shaped by a person’s aging and life stages. It emphasizes that individuals evaluate their careers based on their changing values, abilities, and social roles over time. The theory highlights five key stages—growth, exploration, establishment, maintenance, and decline—reflecting how people’ career needs and goals evolve throughout life. It also considers the influence of personal self-concept and societal expectations, proposing that career development is a dynamic, lifelong journey influenced by both individual growth and external context.