The future of vocational psychology: Aiming high

This article presents the author's perspective about the strengths of vocational psychology, which includes its quantitative foundation, empirical evidence on the career concerns of college students, its theory-driven research, focus on vocational assessment, and its professional organization. Weaknesses of the field include its overemphasis on quantitative methodologies, its lack of focus on contextual factors, class-bound perceptions of work, and the parochial view that limits collaboration with and knowledge from other fields. Opportunities for growth exist in the areas of technology, governmental policies, and changes to the workforce. External threats to vocational psychology incorporate appropriation of vocational psychology by other subdisciplines and appropriation of the practice of vocational counseling by others. The author concludes this analysis with dreams of the future in vocational psychology in the areas of training, science, practice, and social advocacy. (C) 2001 Academic Press.