One More Time: Theories of Occupational Choice

Occupational Choice Personnel Planning and Occupational Choice The way in which people get into, stay in or leave occupations interests us all. Not least because each and every one of us is part of the work‐world: we have all experienced and gone through the process of entering an occupation. In addition our interest arises from an academic viewpoint. Western industrialized society is characterized by a complex division of labour. Associated with this form of social organization is the principle that types of work are related to the execution of specific tasks. The division of labour depends on the allocation of people into occupations: there must be a match between jobs or tasks and individuals possessing skills appropriate to the execution of such tasks.