Tatrina Bailey Career Counseling-Mid Term Dr. Jill Thompson Prairie View A&M University March 14, 2015
Defend the statement: Career development is a continuous process. Explain how it is a discontinuous process. Career development is a continuous process, which concentrates on the processes of seeking, receiving, and processing the information about one self, educational and occupational alternatives, role options and life style. In other words, career development is the process, which makes people understand themselves in relation to the working field and environments, and the role they play in it (Zunker, 2012). Today, in the 21st century, the world of work is very different form the one it has previously been. Globalization of the job markets and the economy, and rapid advancements in technology create an increased competition. The main focus of the global economy is information generation and delivery of services. The modern world dictates the conditions for the business world, providing continuous outsourcing of work, reduction of companies, and modification of jobs. Due to that, people have temporary and part-time jobs, while a growing number of people are self-employed. Therefore, the majority of careers may be described with such words, as uncertainty, insecurity, unpredictability, work intensification, fewer opportunities for promotion, part-time work, self-employment and non-standard contracts. In this regard, individuals should think of themselves as a portfolio of skills, because they will potentially have to change their career 4-8 times during their lifetime. Each new career may require new skills, and thus, people should constantly be engaged in life-long learning, maintain employability, and stimulate their personal growth. Moreover, individuals should be prepared to have access to information