Theoretical and methodological background on vocational guidance in the choice of university career

Abstract

Vocational guidance is a fundamental development in the career choice of young high school graduates, which is far from capitulating at the conceptual level, given the winds of change that exhale inside and outside the subject. In this situation, this article aims to find out and break down which are the most common approaches, hypotheses, methodologies, variables and corollaries in the circulation of scientific articles that link career selection and vocational guidance, to identify the attributes or variables that support future analyzes and settle a quick consultation synopsis on the subject for locals and strangers. Therefore, a conceptual mapping was made, locating three main thematic veins: 1) The importance of a good vocational orientation for the adequate choice of career and consequent professional satisfaction; 2) theoretical-historical studies about the concepts, categories, teaching method and instruments to identify aptitudes and attitudes in a psychological context of transformation inside and outside the subject; 3) medium-term challenges in vocational guidance. Among the findings, although diverse, attitudes, aptitudes and personal goals predominate as the most important elements in the choice of career.