The Role of Work and Cultural Values in Occupational Choice, Satisfaction, and Success: A Theoretical Statement

Values were chosen as the cornerstone of the theory because work values have been identified as critical variables in the career development process and a number of other variables interact with values.

Abstract

Theorists have all but ignored the career development of ethnic and cultural minorities. The purpose of this article is to rectify this oversight by presenting a values‐based theory of occupational choice, satisfaction, and success. Values were chosen as the cornerstone of the theory because work values have been identified as critical variables in the career development process (e.g., N. A. Fouad, 1995; D. E. Super & B. Sverko, 1995). Cultural values also play an important role in the occupational choice‐making process (e.g., F. A. Ibrahim, H. Ohnishi, & R. P. Wilson, 1994). Although they are the primary factors in choosing and advancing in an occupation, a number of other variables interact with values.