Understanding individual experience at work: comments on the theory and practice of careers

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Abstract
In a precursor to this volume (Arthur and Lawrence, 1984), the editors set out the needs for a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of careers that takes into account the environments in which careers unfold. Reaching such a goal, they observed, was limited by the fact that the study of careers “has received by far the most attention from the psychological perspective” (p. 4). In this volume, therefore, they have called on experts with less individually oriented perspectives to augment the story and thus provide a more extended view but also a less focused one. We already know from previous attempts to pull together the thinking on careers how complex such an undertaking is (Law, 1981; Sonnenfeld and Kotter, 1982; Van Maanen and Schein, 1977); and we know the intricately contextual and descriptive requirements of a meaningful career theory (Collin and Young, 1986; Schein, 1986; Van Maanen, 1977). These difficulties are even more apparent in the present volume. So how, in a concluding chapter to this handbook, might one say something useful about careers and career theory? The chapters are so varied that one is tempted to accept Thomas's (Chapter 17) passing suggestion to forget about the concept of career altogether.

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