Self-esteem is of undeniable importance in vocational decision making, yet it is not generally emphasized as a primary issue in the career counseling of adults. It is true that certain developmental theories stress the importance of self-concept and self-esteem in occupational choice, but in practice, especially when working with adults, career counselors help clients examine interests, aptitudes, values, and personality characteristics and apply the results to the marketplace. Clearly, these factors are important considerations, but the individual's self-esteem plays a major role in how these assessed traits will be utilized in vocational decision making. One purpose of this chapter is to explicate what is known about the role of self-esteem in adult career development and to suggest how vocational counselors can apply this information to better assist their clients.The second purpose of this chapter is to discuss the destructive potentials of linking occupational success with self-esteem. Current economic conditions are making success as it is traditionally defined more and more difficult for the average person to achieve. It follows, then, that basing self-esteem on vocational success alone will result in negative selfevaluations for large numbers of people. Although undeniable and very potent, the link between self-esteem and vocation must be diminished via the counseling setting. Therefore, I suggest ways career counselors can J. V. Miller, M. L. Musgrove (eds.). Issucs in Adult Cairn Counseling. New Directions lor Continuing Edugtion, no. 32. San Francisco: JowyBass. Winter 1986
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