Chance events in career development: Influence, control and multiplicity
Bright, James E. H. Pryor, Robert Chan, Eva W. M. Rijanto, Jeniyanti
Bright, James E. H.
Pryor, Robert
Chan, Eva W. M.
Rijanto, Jeniyanti
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Abstract
This article reports three studies on the nature and impact of chance events. The first study investigated chance events in terms of the dimensions of influence and control. The second and third studies investigated the effects of multiplicity of chance events on career development are in terms of respondents’ own careers and then in terms of career scenarios. Results indicated that chance events can be characterized by the interactive influence of influence and control. High influence and low control chance events had the biggest impact on career development. When there is a connection between multiple chance events, the impact is greater than when unrelated chance events occur. The finding was confirmed regardless of whether individuals rated their own experiences or those presented in scenarios. However, it was also found that negative outcome chance events had the greatest impact regardless of whether such events were single or multiple influences on individuals’ careers. The results provide further support for the integration of chance events into the Chaos Theory of Careers.
Keywords
Chance events, Serendipity, Unplanned events, Career decision-making, Chaos Theory of Careers, Complexity theory, Career theory
Date
2009
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Vocational Behaviour
Book
Volume
Issue
Page Range
14-25