A Tour with Fred Vondracek to Hotspots of Occupational Development

Abstract

The chapter describes the profound impact Fred Vondracek’s work on contexts and dynamics of vocational development had on the “Human development in times of social change”—research group lead by Rainer K. Silbereisen in Germany over the past 30 years. We discuss the most central findings of our research group against the backdrop of Fred Vondracek’s work, using examples of various interdisciplinary, large-scale research projects. For example, we discuss his influence, both in terms of his theorizing and empirical works, with regard to a) entrepreneurship research within our group involving psychologists and economists, b) work by a large research consortium examining how individuals negotiate work, family, and civic roles in times of recent social change in Germany and Poland, a project that involved psychologists, sociologists, and economists, and c) developmental research on the German reunification as a prime example of massive and rapid social change. We acknowledge Fred Vondracek’s role as an inspiring source. His creative mindset and great support for research and application in human development aim at a better world for young people struck by global social change.