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Introducing career theory

This article introduces the idea that careers theory can act as a framework to help you reflect on your decisions.
Now you have considered your strengths and which of these you might like to develop at university, we will move on to look at career decision-making.

But how do you make decisions about your career, which may seem a long way off?

In this activity we will learn about career theory and how theories can act as a framework for considering your career decision-making. Theory can help you reflect on your experience. It is also a practical way to examine what influencing factors might relate to your future career thinking and decision-making. In the next few steps, we will look at four types of career theories:

  • matching theories, also known as person–environment fit or trait-and-factor theories
  • life-span or developmental theories
  • structural theories
  • planned happenstance.

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University and Your Future: Career Planning and Making the Most of Your Degree

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