Exploration phase is a term in Tiedeman's career decision model, that refers to the phase when a person realizes that a career decision must be made and therefore begins to learn more about those aspects of the self and the occupational world that are relevant to the impending decision. The person begins to generate alternatives for action. Uncertainty about the future and the many alternatives is accompanied by feelings of anxiety.
Lexicon of Psychology - Terms, Treatments, Biographies,