Theoretical Framework

For Exploring Majors and Careers

Planned Happenstance Theory


Planned happenstance is a perspective that can help you
develop skills to recognize, create and use chance in your
career planning.
A concept originally developed by Kathleen Mitchell
Using luck or happenstance effectively takes curiosity,
flexibility, optimism and risk.




Advantages to the Planned Happenstance
Perspective

Overanalyzing and trying to map out the rest of your career in full
detail can be an exercise in futility.

The pressure of planning out the rest of your life can be immobilizing

Manage the frustration of unexpected challenges or roadblocks by
being as prepared as possible to adjust your plans and goals

Coming up with next steps is much easier than coming up with a life
plan, and much less useful

Taking your career goals one step at a time isnt as risky

Get Prepared

sharpen your skills at noticing chance events and
situations that you couldnt have anticipated and
recognizing them as opportunities
develop your curiosity
expect the unexpected but dont wait for it
know your interests and aptitudes while developing
a receptive, open mind about how they can be
worked into a an ideal career for you.


Get Prepared (cont.)
be ready to act when opportunities arise (get that
generic resume together)
work on your networking skills! (to make more
of these chance moments happen)
work on your universal job skills
maintain a constantly morphing vision of who
and what you want to be

Luck=the intersection of opportunity and
preparedness


Recommended further reading:

Luck is no Accident: Making the Most of
Happenstance in your Life and Career

Krumboltz, J.D. & Levin, A.L.

Reflection Questions
What lucky breaks have you been granted?
How were you prepared to take advantage
of the opportunity?
What opportunities have you missed
because you were not prepared?
Are you a detailed planner or a rough idea
planner?
Do you know your next steps?