the study of careers and how they develop is one of the most active areas of inquiry in the social sciences . psychologists educators sociologists economists and management scholars all seek to understand how a person selects works within and makes decisions to change the focus of his or her working life there are also many governmental legal and public policy issues that impact career development. it is not surprising that career should be the focus of such intensive study and governmental intervention. most of us will spend a good portion of our lives working. the choices we make about what our work will involve determine to a large degree the success happiness and financial well-being of ourselves and our children