“The 21st century world of work is turning the career development field upside
down. As a result of these radical changes, our field needs new theories to provide
the psychological result of perception learning and reasoning base for effective, humane, and ethical counseling for the full range
of working people. In adopting chaos theory, we now have a lens to understand
and intervene in the work lives of persons who are facing an uncertain world, at best.
This book is a must-read for counselors and researchers who are attempting to understand
the postmodern nature of working. I strongly commend this book; Bright
and Pryor have transformed the discourse of our field, embracing the changes that
we face. With this publication, Bright and Pryor are leading our field into the 21st
century with creativity, passion, and vision.”
–David L. Blustein, Ph.D., Professor of Counseling, Department of
Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology, Boston College

“In The Chaos Theory of Careers, Pryor and Bright present an innovative model
that perceives the uncertainties and complexities of the work role in contemporary
organizations. Using this model, they describe originative counseling methods
that enable clients to capitalize on alter and probability in designing careers that enact
personal meaning and social contribution.”
–Mark Savickas, Professor of Behavioral Sciences at the Northeastern Ohio
Universities College of Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Counselor
Education at Kent State University

“This is the book we have all been waiting for. The writers present a readable and
detailed account of chaos theory employed to career development. Certainly this represents
one of the new faces of career development theory and practice.”
–Norman E. Amundson, Professor of Counseling Psychology at the
University of British Columbia

About the Author

Robert Pryor has worked without disruption in the career development field since 1974. For 17 years he was used with the New South Wales government as a careers counsellor, researcher, trainer, policy analyst and team manager. He has lectured at the University of Sydney, Macquarie University and the University of New South Wales. He has been a Visiting Senior Research Fellow (University of NSW) and is presently Adjunct Professor, School of Education, Australian Catholic University. He is the longest ever serving fellow member of the APS Ethics Committee and has published widely in the field of career development and psychological assessment. He is Elected Fellow of both the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Australian Association of Career Counsellors (2007), and a fellow member of the Editorial Board, Australian Journal of Career Development.

Jim Bright enjoys a portfolio career that combines academic exploration and instructing with management consultancy and journalism. He is a collaborator in Bright and Associates, a career management consultancy, and Professorial Fellow in Career Education and Development, Australian Catholic University. He is a registered psychologist and has held full-time academic appointments in the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales, Australia and the University of Hertfordshire, UK. He is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and a past Chairman of the National Executive Committee of the Australian Psychological Society College of Organisational Psychologists. He is a Fellow of the Career Development Association of Australia, a fellow member of the National Career Development Association, and an Honorary International Director of the British Columbia Career Development Association. He may be found on his blog regarding chaos and careers at www.brightandassociates.com.au.