The aim of this edition of Career Development and Planning: A Comprehensive Approach is to provide instructors and students with knowledge drawn from cognitive psychology, sociology, and economics that can be used to solve career problems and make career decisions in a time of change and uncertainty. This text and related teaching materials provide a comprehensive, integrated system of career learning activities intended to improve instruction and enhance learning outcomes.
In order to meet college level general education requirements, the knowledge base of a textbook is of crucial importance. The three knowledge domains of this text are (a) cognitive and social foundations, (b) the occupational world and work behavior, and (c) career choice and development in individuals and organizations.
Career Development and Planning includes theoretical work in cognitive psychology and relevant knowledge from the applied behavioral sciences:
- Part I focuses on the theory base in cognitive information processing, with detailed, practical examples of the application of the theory in typical career situations, including self-knowledge, occupational knowledge, and decision making.
- Part II provides a multidisciplinary overlay of issues that affect career decisions, such as economic trends, organizational culture, new work styles, and dual careers.
- Part III focuses on concrete steps for executing a strategic career plan and seeking employment, including an examination of familiar topics such as interviewing, resume writing, negotiating, and work adjustment, from a cognitive and multidisciplinary perspective.
Career Development and Planning: A Comprehensive Approach can be re-ordered, appended with your content, and customized to fit any existing course structure! In addition, the text also comes with a comprehensive instructor manual that includes activities related to course content and PowerPoint© presentations for each chapter.
APA Guidelines
In addition to meeting general education requirements, this text fulfills four criteria cited by the
American Psychological Association. The text embraces and builds upon the following APA
professional development guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major empowering
people to make a difference in their lives and communities.
“Exhibit self-regulation” (APA 2023)
The text provides valuable information from cognitive psychology to aid students in
making proactive, self-directed decisions about their futures. It presents a five-phase
career decision-making model and explains how one’s metacognitions can be changed to
enhance decision-making effectiveness.
“Refine project-management skills” (APA 2023)
The text guides students through concrete, measurable steps for meeting their career
goals, providing them with an understanding of how to break down complex tasks into
smaller, manageable actions. It features a conceptual framework based on theory and
research, the CASVE Cycle, which empowers students with a schema for executing
educational, occupational, or employment plans.
“Cultivate workforce collaborative skills” (APA 2023)
The text explains how individual careers may unfold in the context of organizational
behavior; the global economy; new ways of working; an increasingly diverse workforce;
and the relationships among supervisors, co-workers, and family members. The text
prompts readers to network in their communities and draw upon the knowledge of others
as mentors and advisors.
“Develop direction for life after graduation” (APA 2023)
All aspects of the text are written to help students develop professional goals and
maximize opportunities for discovering and executing post-graduation plans. Through the
presentation of resources and strategies that help students explore their interests and
options, the text gives them the tools to pursue meaningful careers in further education,
employment, or community engagement.
American Psychological Association. (2023). APA guidelines for the undergraduate psychology
major: Version 3.0. Washington, DC.
