Which theory emphasizes life design and narrative approaches in career counseling?

• A. Krumboltz's social learning theory.
• B. Gottfredson's circumscription.
• C. Holland's RIASEC.
• D. Career Construction Theory by Savickas.

Answer: (D)

Career Construction Theory by Savickas is the best fit because it centers designing a career as a life story. This approach treats work as something people actively construct through their narratives, values, and meanings, not just a product of stable traits or external contingencies. In practice, it uses life-design concepts and narrative methods—asking clients to tell their career stories, identify themes, and re-author their paths to fit both changing circumstances and personal sense of purpose. The goal is to build career adaptability and a coherent future through meaning-making and intentional action, rather than simply matching interests to occupations or treating career decisions as steps along a fixed path.

Other theories emphasize different ideas but do not foreground life design and narrative work. Krumboltz’s social learning theory focuses on learning through experiences and environmental factors; Gottfredson’s circumscription describes how self-concept and social factors limit occupational choices; Holland’s RIASEC centers on matching personality types to job environments. While influential, they don’t place the same emphasis on crafting a personal career story and actively designing one’s life, which is why Savickas’ approach is the best answer here.