The research and theory in the field of career development originated from American psychologist D E. Shubo's pioneering work in 1953. The career development theory proposed by Shubo not only broke the dominant position of trait factor theory in career choice at that time, but also marked the transition from career counseling to career counseling. He emphasized that career is the continuous evolution direction of various events in life, combining the roles of various professions and lives that develop sequentially throughout one's life. From adolescence to retirement, it covers a comprehensive range of paid and unpaid positions, even including multiple roles such as side jobs, family, and citizenship.

Shu Bo believes that career development is a dynamic process that runs through an individual's entire life cycle from birth to death. It not only focuses on career choices, but also involves the formation of individual self-concept, the shaping of values, and the matching between personal traits and careers at different stages. With the deepening of research, the concept of career development has gradually expanded to other fields related to professions, such as family, education, etc., and emphasized the mutual influence and integration between various fields.