Key Concepts
Holland's RIASEC model identifies six personality/work environment types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional
Super's life-span, life-space approach describes career development across five stages: growth, exploration, establishment, maintenance, and disengagement
Krumboltz's learning theory of career counseling emphasizes the role of learning experiences, genetic endowment, environmental conditions, and task approach skills
Gottfredson's theory of circumscription and compromise describes how self-concept and perceived social space narrow career choices over time
The Strong Interest Inventory and Self-Directed Search are widely used career assessment tools based on Holland's theory
Social cognitive career theory (Lent, Brown, Hackett) emphasizes self-efficacy beliefs, outcome expectations, and personal goals in career decision-making
Happenstance learning theory (Mitchell and Krumboltz) reframes unplanned events as opportunities for career development
Why This Matters for the Exam
Career development is one of the 8 CACREP content areas on the NCE and is heavily tested. Expect questions that ask you to match theories to their originators, identify which theory applies to a given career counseling scenario, name career assessment tools, and apply career development concepts. This content area is unique to the NCE and not heavily covered on the ASWB exams.
Study Tips
Create a comparison chart of the major career theorists and their key concepts. Holland's RIASEC model is the most frequently tested. Know the six types and what each represents. Be familiar with Super's stages and the approximate age ranges. Know which career assessments are associated with which theories (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory uses Holland codes). Practice matching client scenarios to the appropriate theory.