1. To prepare for this assignment, you will first select a career that requires knowledge of human
development. In your textbook, see Chapter 1 Appendix, Careers in Lifespan Development (p.
43). From the list of careers, identify one that interests you. You may ask the instructor for
permission to select a career not on the list if it requires knowledge of human development.
2. Next, select one period of developmental ( Late Adulthood) that is relevant to the career you selected. Some
careers might be limited to one developmental period (i.e. geriatric nurse, neonatal nurse,
preschool teacher). Other careers may work with individuals across several periods of
development. In that case you will need to choose one. You will select only one of the following:
infancy, early childhood, middle/late childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood,
late adulthood.
3. The topic should not only be relevant to the developmental
period but also directly related to the chosen career.
4. Finally, select at least one major theory of development that could be applied by a person
in the career/profession to guide their work with an individual in the chosen
developmental period. It must be one of the theories listed later in this document.
1. Introduction
The introduction should briefly introduce four main elements and end with a thesis
statement. See the instructional template document for more information.
2. Career
After the introduction, the first main section of the essay will describe the career, including
the role and duties (what they do), where they work, and the education/ training
requirements (how to become one). Assume the reader knows nothing about this career.
After reading this section, they should have a basic understanding of the career and why a
knowledge of human development is necessary for the profession.
a. The section should begin with a heading that identifies the career.
b. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) is one of two
required sources for this section. See additional guidance under Sources below and
in the instructional template.
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c. The professional association relevant to the career is a second required source. A
separate document is provided with a list of professional associations. In some cases,
the professional association website will include better information than the bureau
of labor statistics. For other careers, the association website is more limited, and you
will need to depend more on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for content.
d. In-text citations must be used to indicate the source of all content. It must be clear
which content is from BLS and which is from the professional association. At least
90% of the content must be paraphrased in your own words, not copied or quoted
from the source. Even when paraphrasing, citations must still be included.
3. Developmental Period
In the next section, describe one period of development (e.g., infancy, early childhood,
middle/late childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, or late adulthood).
a. The section must begin with a heading that identifies the developmental period.
b. You will begin by clearly defining the period and summarizing the most significant
developmental milestones or characteristics of the period, including all three
developmental processes (biological, cognitive, socioemotional). Include at least one
paragraph for each of the three processes. Biological factors should always include
changes in the brain/nervous system. Cognitive factors should always include those
related to information processing (memory, attention, executive function, etc.).
c. Demonstrate an understanding of the interaction among the three processes, when
applicable. For example, brain and nervous system changes in a certain period may
be directly related to cognitive development (such as attention, memory, executive
function, or languagin that same period. Similarly, changes in the brain and
nervous system allow for advances in motor skills during infancy and childhood.
There is a relationship between motor skills/increased mobility and socioemotional
development. Similar connections between processes can be identified in every
developmental period.
d. While most of this section will be about explaining the significant characteristics and
milestones, you will close by briefly explaining why it is important for someone in
the selected career to have this knowledge. Explain why knowledge of that specific
developmental period is important for one to be effective in the career/profession.
4. Topic
In the third main section, describe a topic or issue that would likely present itself during the
developmental period described. It must also be a topic likely to be encountered by a person
in the identified career/profession. Make sure your topic aligns with the career and
developmental period. In most cases, a topic should come from one of the same chapters
covering your developmental period
5. Theory
In the fourth section, apply one of the major theories of development. First, you will
describe the theory and stage, if applicable. Then explain how knowledge of the theory
could be applied by the career/professional in their work with an individual (patient, client,
student, etc.) who is in the period of development and experiencing the issue/topic
previously described. This is the section where you will synthesize all four main elements
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and demonstrate how the combined knowledge is applied to make positive difference.
a. Choose from the following theories.
• Erikson or Bronfenbrenner can be applied to any developmental period.
• Piaget can be applied from infancy through adolescence (original 4 stages)
and early adulthood (postformal thought).
• If your period is middle adulthood, you might consider the Contemporary
Life Events Approach or Erikson.
• If your period is late adulthood, you have some additional options. Selective
Optimization with Compensation Theory is recommended, especially for
healthcare professions. You can also choose to combine Activity Theory
AND Socioemotional Selectivity Theory. They must be used together
Conclusion
The conclusion will briefly summarize the main point(s) from each of the four sections,
especially emphasizing how content supports the thesis statement from the introduction. Do
not introduce new ideas in the conclusion. The conclusion only summarizes, emphasizes, or
synthesizes the ideas you have already expressed.
Required Sources
Second Required Source
In the Career section, a significant source of content will be the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(https://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm). Enter the career in the “Search Handbook” box.
After you enter the career in the search box, you should locate a summary article on the career.
Look at the tabs at the top of the summary page. These include “What They Do,” “Work
Environment,” and “How To Become One.” You will need to explore each of these tabs,
especially What They Do and How To Become One.
Third Required Source
The third source must be the website of the professional association related to the career you
selected. Most professions have a professional association. Professional associations help to
maintain oversight and quality practice of the occupation. Many of these organizations also produce
publications about research and best practices related to the work of the profession.
Format
The essay will be constructed using APA format. This applies to margins, font, spacing, headings,
title page, citations, and reference page.
With a minimum of 1,500 words, the essay will be typed, double spaced, with one-inch margins,
using Times New Roman 12 font. You will not need tables, figures, or an abstract for this
assignment. In addition to the reference page at the end, sources must be cited within the body of
the essay using APA format. There should be at least one citation in every paragraph and more than
one may be necessary.
