How People Choose

Occupations

Self Concept
Dr. Donald Super states
that a person chooses an
occupation according to
the type of person you
think you are.
Example:
Rugged, masculine and
tough = logger, heavy duty
equipment operator
Clever and a good talker =
sales person
Artistic and creative =
fashion

 How you feel about yourself, your self-concept, is

extremely important
Newborn child no initial concept
Child grows self-concept develops based on life
experiences and social interaction
Awareness of self-concept helps you become the
person you want to be
How you believe others feel about you is part of your
self-concept
Person tends to become the kind of person others expect
For example, if your teacher or supervisor says you have lots of
potential you may work harder to fulfill this expectation
Everyone thinks of you slightly different
For example, your employer may see you as responsible and
quick learning, but lack in organization abilities, where as a
friend may see you as good listener and a fun person to be with

Poor self-concept
often lower expectations and unconsciously fulfill these
expectations
For example, if something bad happens to them, these people
tend to blame themselves even if the situation is not their fault. If
something good happens to them, they may assume it was due
to chance.

People who think that they will not succeed may

influence their success in a negative way Self-fulfilling
prophesy
may also constantly criticize others build themselves
up by tearing others down
consider themselves to be better than anyone else

Positive attitude
Tell themselves they can accomplish their objectives
Tend to develop a good self-concept
Ideally see yourself in a realistic and favourable
light
If you think well of yourself, you will be better able to
fulfill your expectations of success
When relating to others and yourself, remember that
everyone is unique and has value as a person in
spite of slight imperfections
We all have enormous potential and are capable of
accepting others and of being accepted by them

Personality
Dr. John Holland believes choosing an
occupation is just a way of expressing your
personality.
People who go into an occupation tend to
have similar personalities.
In order to make a good occupation choice
one must match it with their personality.
According to Holland there are six
personality types.

Thinker (Investigative)

Scientific orientation
Task-oriented, all wrapped up in their
work
Introspective and asocial
Think through rather than act out
problems
Strong need to understand the world
Enjoy ambiguous (theoretical) tasks
Prefer to work independently
Have unconventional attitudes
See themselves as lacking in
leadership skills
Analytical, curious, reserved,
independent
Confident of their intellectual abilities
Great dislike for repetitive activities
Buy telescopes, calculators, electronic
equipment

Organizer (Conventional)

Prefer well-ordered environments

Like systematic verbal and numerical
activities
Avoid ambiguous situations and
problems involving interpersonal
relationships
Conscientious, efficient, practical
Identify with power
Value material possessions and status
Orderly, persistent, calm
Adverse to free, unsystematic,
exploratory behaviour in new areas
Do not seek out leadership
Stable, well-controlled, dependable
Most effective at well-defined tasks
Save their money or buy conservative
things (furniture, houses)

Doer (Realistic)

Robust, rugged, practical, physically

strong
Uncomfortable in social settings
Good motor coordination
Weak verbal and interpersonal skills
See themselves as mechanically and
athletically inclined
Stable, natural, persistent
Prefer concrete to abstract problems
Have conventional political and
economic goals
Rarely perform creatively in the arts or
science
Like to build things with tools
Cool to radical new ideas
Like to work with big, powerful
machines
Buy boats, campers, snowmobiles,
motorcycles

Creator (Artistic)

Like art, music, drama, other creative

interests
Prefer free, unstructured situations
Impulsive, nonconforming,
independent
Adverse to rules
Deal with problems through selfexpression
Like to work in free environments
Like small, intimate groups
Willing to take risks to try something
new
Dress in freer styles than other people
Have need for individualistic
expression
Not assertive about own capabilities
Sensitive and emotional
Spend money on art objects, books,
paintings

Helper (Social)

Sociable, responsible, humanistic,

religious
Like to work in groups
Have verbal and interpersonal skills
Avoid both intellectual problem
solving and physical exertion
Enjoy educating, training, or
enlightening others
Understanding, helpful, idealistic
Dislike working with machines or in
highly structured situations
Like to discuss philosophic
questions
Concerned with welfare others
Cooperative, friendly, generous
Attend lots of workshops, other
groups

Persuader (Enterprising)

Good verbal skills, persuasive

Strong leaders
Avoid work involving long periods or
intellectual effort
Strong drive to attain organization
goals
Concerned with power, status, and
leadership
Aggressive, popular, self-confident,
sociable
High energy level
Adventuresome, ambitious
Enjoy making things happen
Value money and material
possessions
Dislike science and systematic
thinking
Buy big cars, nice clothes, country
club membership

Process
Ginzberg, Ginsburg, Axelrad & Herma argue that vocational choice is a
slow, complicated proves that occurs in clearly marked periods.
Four variables identified in making vocational choices
Environmental Factors responding to pressure of your
environment
Educational Factors the amount and kind of education you receive
Emotional Factors - how a person responds to his or her
environment
Individual Values what an individual perceives as important to
them
Occupational choice takes place over a period of approximately 11 to 13
years from age 11 to 22 or 24 years.
During this time frame a young person makes a series of decisions
which gradually reduce the number of choices that are left.
A person goes through 3 major periods as well as a number of minor
stages in this process of vocational choice.

Fantasy period 8 to 10 years

The child thinks they
can be anything they
want to be
A time of make
believe
Children play at
working

Tentative Period 11 to 18 years

Interest Stage 11 to 12 years
Child begins to recognize the
need to identify a career
direction
Child identifies activities that
they like or dislike
Capacity Stage 12 to 14 years
Introduction of the notion of
Abilities into career choice
Starting to evaluate their ability
to perform in areas of interest

Value Stage 14 to 16 years

Introduction of the notion of

service to society
Awareness that work offers
more than just the potential of
satisfying their own needs
Begin to develop a broader
time perspective than had
before
Begin thinking of a career in
terms of day-in, day-out
activities for years
Becoming sensitive to the
imminence of vocational
commitment

Transition Stage 16 to 18

Individuals begin to face the

necessity to make
immediate concrete and
realistic decisions about
vocational future
Individuals assume
responsibility for these
decisions
The amount and kind of
preparation for career is
studied
The recognition of varying
financial awards is keen

Realistic Period 18 to 22/24 years

Exploration Stage
Starts at post secondary education
Marked by narrower goals, compared
to broader goals earlier
General indecisiveness continues
because interests are still changing
Selects a path to follow from 2 or 3
strong interest areas
Crystallization Stage
Have become involved in specific
major field
Have a clear idea of what occupational
tracks they wish to avoid
A commitment to a career choice has
become strong
Specification Stage
Final point in career development

Chance
It just happened!

Self Assessment

Self-assessment is a process of determining who you are and how

you change over time.
As you progress through your school and work experience, you will
continue to develop and to learn new things about yourself.
For example, a person who becomes successful in several
sports may develop confidence in his or her physical abilities
and build a strong competitive nature.
A person who is forced into temporary unemployment may better
understand the importance of work in his or her life.
Awareness of who you are physically, mentally, and emotionally and
how you are changing will help you to make decisions about your
future lifestyle and career.
You need to examine your characteristics, motivations, values, skills
and interests so you can better form career goals that suit you.