THE PLACE OF INFORMATION IN CAREER CHOICE

Careers information is important, but its nature varies, and in recent years technology‐related products have come to rival printed material. The recognition of different audiences is welcomed, but much material is still too occupation‐specific. The currency of information is vital, and better communications between agencies would help ensure this, as well as partially defending consumers against misleading influences. Terminology is sometimes vague, and often important psychological features of employment are poorly depicted. The timing of information delivery is critical, and more potentially interested and influential parties could usefully be targeted. Good delivery depends on the skills of guidance professionals – skills which training might enhance. Information publishers might usefully be persuaded to produce material of more help in guidance quarters. Career choice must be recognized as the result of various influences, but in an educational context careers information deserves a more central role