Career Theory Application of My Work History

After researching the different types of theories from our readings, I was able to narrow my work history to correlate with three theories. The first theory is the Holland’s Theory of Vocational Choices that is part of the Trait-and-Factor Theories. The second is the Gottfredson’s Theory of Circumscription and Compromise that is part of the Developmental Theories. Lastly, the Status Attainment Theory that is part of the Socioeconomic Theories.

The Holland’s Theory of Vocational Choices states that we choose careers that are closely correlated with our personalities. There are several assumptions according to this theory as to why we choose the career that we choose. The main assumption is that our personality drives us to choose our vocation. There are several factors that shape our personalities such as our inherited characteristics, the activities that we accomplish, and the interest that develop out of those activities. Because of our experiences we are shaped and our personality comes out. Holland also states that there are six “pure” personality types which are realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional. These six types of personalities can also be seen as work environments. This theory focuses on personality inventories in order to see what we might enjoy as a career. Holland also states that the top three personality scores are the ones that drive us, with the top score being the most influential, the second score being the second most influential and so on. These are known as the Holland’s code. This theory shows how my work history has developed because of my personality. By reflecting on my work history I can see that my dominant personality is social which also shows that I enjoy working on a social environment. Holland’s theory also correlates with the fact that I was able to see how I was influenced by my inherited characteristics and that I have been shaped by the experiences that I have encountered in my life. As a young adult I was able to see that I enjoyed talking to people to discuss their problems. I always felt a need to solve their problems or help them get through their tough times. As I also reflected back on my childhood I remember always trying to make people feel better. In a sense I was always trying to be empathic of people that were having problems. As I got older I was able to use those characteristics of empathy to see that my personality of being social was what I enjoyed. I still remember taking an inventory in community college to see what kind of personality I exhibit. The inventory showed that I was the type to work with people, or as Holland will call it “social”. This has been great insight as to why I chose counseling as a career.

The Gottfredson's Theory of Circumscription and Compromise main focus is to see how career ambitions develop. This theory describes how people seem to be more willing to seek certain jobs. The theory states that in order for us to know what kind of vocation we want; we need to be aware of who we are, or become aware of self concept. This theory has four basic assumptions which are that (1) career development begins in childhood, (2) career ambitions are a form of developing our self concept, (3) career satisfaction depends on the congruence between work and our self perception, and that (4) we develop stereotypes that guide our career choices. Since this theory is a part of the developmental theories, it also suggests that we have developmental stages. The first is from age 3-5 called the Orientation to Size and Power, ages 6-8 called Orientation to Sex Roles, ages 9-13 called Orientation to Social Valuation, and age 14 called Choices Explored. This theory made me think about my upbringing and how I got to the place where I am at today. As I mentioned before, I have always been really empathic with people. However, as I was reading this theory it showed me that I was also empathic even with animals. I remember that I use to love animals that that I wanted to help them. As a child I wanted to be a veterinarian in order to help animals. As I got older I was able to “compromise” becoming a veterinarian since I was not really doing well in school and the career of veterinarian took too long to complete. I also remember thinking about the sex-roles stereotype and whether what I was choosing was manly enough and whether it was a prestigious career. As I got older and I began have a clearer view of my self concept and who I was. Because of this I was able to see what kind of aspirations developed as I got older. Most of this change took place in community college as I was forming my self concept. Now I know that my satisfaction with my work is due to the congruence with my self perception.

At first The Status Attainment Theory stated that families social economic status influences education, thus, influencing the occupation that people enter. Now, they theory has been modified to state that family status and cognitive variables combine influence education attainment, which influences the career that people choose and how much money they make. This theory has been developed by economist to see the influence of economic forces that influences career development of the whole work force. I chose this theory for one particular reason. This theory brought back memories about why I decided to pursue an education. I have to say that my families social economic status highly influence my decision to continue my education. My father was a gardener and my mom worked at Mc. Donald’s. Growing up I can say that I was never pleased with the line of work my mother and father were doing. The reason I did not like my fathers job was that he was always working very hard in the sun and he never brought home enough money. I remember going with him to help with the gardening as a child. I remember that I dislike how tough the job was and how much my father got paid. It seems like money was always in issue in our family. My mom working in Mc. Donald’s showed me that she was never making enough money to get through. When I worked there as a teenager, it confirmed that this was not the route I wanted to take. The fact that we were on the poverty level was one of my influences to seek a better future.