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This chapter explores and questions the aims of public policy for career development. In the early years of the 21st century, an international consensus emerged in the literature describing the intentions of governments when they seek to intervene in the careers of their citizens. A case is made for a broader conception of the socially desirable outcomes from career interventions. Drawing on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a systematic framework of six types of policy goal for career development services is proposed: (i) labour market goals, (ii) educational goals, (iii) social equity goals, (iv) health and well-being goals, (v) environmental goals, and (vi) peace and justice goals. The latter three categories represent new or relatively neglected areas of focus. Cross-cutting themes of social justice, sustainability, and societal change are highlighted.

The way our electricity is generated is in a period of rapid change; in the United States and many other countries the system is becoming less reliant on coal based power systems, while natural gas and solar and wind power are becoming more and more important. Technological advances have made solar and wind power more efficient and increasingly cost-effective. While these changes to the electrical system come with great benefits, such as less pollution, these technologies are not free of impacts. The electrical system is inseparable from our modern lifestyle, and because the system is so large this transition will affect society in many ways. This dissertation analyzes one aspect of the social side of these changes in the electrical system by asking, what does the public think about renewable energy? In particular we examined how political beliefs, community differences, and residential distance from wind turbines might influence attitudes about renewable energy. We find that political belief is an important factor in predicting levels of support for renewable energy, with conservatives less likely to prefer renewable energy and liberals more supportive of its development. We also find distinct differences in how residents of particular communities tend to react to renewable energy and local wind power development. In addition, we find that living closer to wind turbines is not a good way to predict attitudes about wind energy. These results should help policy makers and developers to make better decisions about how and where we build utility-scale solar and wind electric power facilities by taking into consideration the nuances of personal and political beliefs as well as community differences.

This study explores antecedents of commitment among 1,300 municipal employees in three Chinese cities. Six potential antecedents, drawn from the rational choice and organizational behavior literatures, are investigated. Regression analysis indicates that role fit is the most important antecedent, followed by job challenge and management support. Extrinsic rewards and shared belief in the organization's mission and values are not as strongly or consistently related to commitment level. Compatible with findings from studies in Western countries, the results suggest that commitment among Chinese public employees may depend on the extent to which they experience their organization as being committed to them.