A Final Word
When the simplistic tripartite model of Frank Parsons (1909) is
compared to the intricate theories presented in this volume, it is
clear that career development theory has advanced greatly in the
century since Parsons began his work in Boston. The trait-and-fac-
tor theorists have been responsible for many of the advances that
have been observed, but work on the role of self-efficacy in career
choice and development has made tremendous contributions to our
thinking and practice. Postmodern theorists and practitioners have
not derailed traditionalists, but they have caused them to reconsider
the ways in which they conceptualize and practice. As Patton and
McMahon (1999) and others note, there is much to be done. His-
tory suggests that we will continue to improve both our theories and
our applications of them.
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514 CAREER CHOICE AND DEVELOPMENT