The future of vocational psychology: Aiming high

This article presents the author's perspective about the strengths of vocat ional psychology, which includes its quantitative foundation, empirical evi dence on the career concerns of college students, its theory-driven researc h, focus on vocational assessment, and its professional organization. Weakn esses of the field include its overemphasis on quantitative methodologies, its lack of focus on contextual factors, class-bound perceptions of work, a nd the parochial view that limits collaboration with and knowledge from oth er fields. Opportunities for growth exist in the areas of technology, gover nmental policies, and changes to the workforce. External threats to vocatio nal psychology incorporate appropriation of vocational psychology by other subdisciplines and appropriation of the practice of vocational counseling b y others. The author concludes this analysis with dreams of the future in v ocational psychology in the areas of training, science, practice, and socia l advocacy. (C) 2001 Academic Press.