An important component of youth development is understanding the effect work has on life. Programs must address the issue of work as major element of life because youth do not have the close association with work that was common 30 to 50 years ago. Most youth do not have an opportunity to view role models or see a finished product.
Adults can reasonably expect to change jobs a minimum of five times during their working years.
Because the world of work is changing at such a rapid rate, youth must adopt a philosophy of life-long learning to keep current with changing needs and occupational requirements. Appropriate orientation to the world of work is a developmental decision making process beginning at about age six and lasting until about age 25. The three developmental stages are fantasy, tentative and realistic. The fantasy stage involves career selection based on limited information and is most often based on emotion. At this stage children need opportunities to see a variety of occupations.