defined task related to a goal. The action is also informed by the
group structure of the client and counselor: who will introduce the
topic, who will provide information, who will role play the appli-
cant, who will evaluate, and so forth. Unlike individual action, in
which knowledge processing is internal, the energizing and pro-
cessing of information occurs in a joint action through communi-
cation. The demand for effective communication in the dyad
increases as the complexity of the task and the dyad’s structure
increase. Finally, there may be differences in the execution when
the client engages in an actual employment interview.
Project. The example of a couple discussing career issues illustrates
the idea of a superordinate construct—the project.Imagine a young
couple interested in developing an egalitarian relationship with
regard to education, occupation, and family roles and tasks. They
might construct such a project in terms of alternating who will
attend school while the other works, deciding about moving to take
a position, and determining the child-care responsibilities. As their
project develops, other concerns and tasks may arise for the couple,
for example, responding to an employment layoff, or the equal shar-
ing of the care of their children or elderly parents. This egalitarian
relationship project is developed by the couple as part of their antic-
ipated life together and is implemented by them. We can readily
imagine that both parties contributed to defining the goals and the
tasks, although the project may have been initiated by one of them.
It is likely that neither the goal nor the tasks were fully defined in
advance. Rather, the project goals are defined and redefined as the
couple actually engages in actions and activities and are confronted
by life circumstances. We can also see the possibility that this project
may become the subject of counseling at some point in the rela-
tionship, should either party’s understanding of the shared goal or
tasks break down.
In this example, we see the use of a construct that is broader
than action but involves action. Nevertheless, it is individual and
joint actions, which include manifest behavior, internal processes,
216 CAREER CHOICE AND DEVELOPMENT