The article is dedicated to the historical and psychological analysis of the
concept of career. The definitions of career presented in this article are from
etymological and explanatory dictionaries as well as from encyclopedias of
the XIX–XXI centuries. The features of building a career and social attitude to it in different historical periods are described. The modern forms
of career building are considered. Psychological approaches to the description of career, the psychological content of the terminology, thematic diversity of the studied aspects of career, Russian and western concepts of career
development are analyzed. The conclusion points out the need for further
historical and psychological research of a career, systematization of existing knowledge on career issues.