ABSTRACT
The field of vocational psychology strives to explain and predict work-related activity throughout individuals’ lives. Vocational psychologists study a number of important issues that occur most frequently during specific life stages, such as the formation of interest patterns in childhood and adolescence, exploration of career alternatives and commitment to an initial career choice in adolescence and young adulthood, entry into an occupational choice in young adulthood, career progress in middle adulthood, and transition to retirement in later adulthood. Moreover, vocational psychologists study issues that occur throughout the life span, regardless of specific life stage, such as development and refinement of one’s vocational identity, the interaction of work and nonwork life roles, and continued adjustment to occupational circumstances.
