Assessment of career exploration in childhood, adolescence and adulthood

Abstract

In this study, different career exploration assessment procedures, adjusted to childhood, adolescence and adulthood, are presented and discussed, taking in account theoretical and empirical developments of the construct. The first procedure, aimed for 3 to 10 year-old children, includes the use of the Career Development Child Interview Grid (Araújo & Taveira, 2000; Araújo & Taveira, 2006) and the Self Exploration Guided Task (Araújo, Taveira, & Lemos, 2004; adapted from Gordon, 1968). The second procedure, designed to assess the career exploration process assessment of adolescents aged 14 years-old through adulthood, involves the use of the Career Exploration Survey (Taveira, 1997; adapted from Stumpf, Colarelli, & Hartman, 1983). The last procedures, developed for adults, include the use of the Career Repertory Grid (Silva & Taveira, 2005) and the Career Narrative for adults with low levels of schooling (RVCC-AEP, 2005; Gonçalves, Taveira, & Pereira, 2007). The benefits and qualities of each procedure are discussed. The authors conclude on the need for longitudinal career exploration assessment plans.