Holland influenced practice and research in career development by contributing a clear theory useful in organizing information about individuals and career alternatives and for understanding individuals' entry and persistence in occupational and other environments. His theory was repeatedly revised in response to evidence. As Holland's own career…

The paper uses John L. Holland's theory of careers to explain certain common career phenomena and concepts. An understanding of careers requires useful answers for four fundamental questions relating to vocational choice, vocational stability and instability, and vocational congruence. The theory of careers attempts to answer these fundamental…

The authors present a typology for understanding how people make career choices, become vocational mature, and adjust their occupational choice to their particular life style. Practical implications for vocational assistance by counselors are also presented. (Author/HLM)