A Review of Career Exploration Practices for Elementary Level Students

Abstract

Career counseling is an idea that has dated back almost a century, marking its beginning with Parsons’ vocational career theory. While Parsons was credited with being the father of career counseling, there were many theorists after Parson’s also developing similar career or vocational development theories. High school may be too late to start the career planning process, and elementary age student exploration might be considered too early for a career decision to be made. With the understanding that career awareness is appropriate for late elementary students, career exploration and skill development might best occur in the middle schools, by the time students enter high school they would then have an individual career plan in place to seek additional schooling or training necessary for career success.