Super's Theory of Career Development (Donald Super)

Donald Super’s Theory of Career Development suggests that career choices and pursuits evolve through a sequence of stages over a person’s life. It views career development as a lifelong process influenced by personal interests, values, self-concept, and life roles such as student, worker, or retiree. People explore, create, and refine their careers by gaining skills and experiences, aligning their work with their changing self-identity. The theory emphasizes that career development is dynamic, complex, and interconnected with overall life development, progressing through stages like growth, exploration, establishment, maintenance, and decline.