The historical evolution of career development in China and Hong Kong

Abstract

This paper examines the historical evolution of career development in China and Hong Kong. It reports that, according to Zhang (1994), the evolution of career guidance in China can be divided into six stages: the rise of vocational guidance and education (1917-1949); reorientation (1950-1965); abandonment (1966-1976); transition (1977-1986); experimentation (1987-1989); and expansionism (1990-present). Career development in Hong Kong is rather a recent development and can be classified into three stages: the rise and development of vocational guidance (1958-1978); the transitional period from vocational guidance to career guidance (1978-1990); and the consolidation period (1990-present). It states that changes are expected again as the two governments begin to draw closer than they have in 100 years. (Contains 13 references.) (JDM)