Chance events in career development: Factors influencing the perception of the impact of chance

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study:

This study investigates how individuals perceive the impact of chance occurrences in their own career history as well as the career history of others. Participants responded to five instruments including a Demographic Information Sheet, List of Decision Making Influencers, Career Vignette with a fictional character's career history, Locus of Control of Behaviour Scale and Career Development Questions.

Findings and Conclusions:

Results from the study indicate that the majority of participants were able to identify at least one chance occurrence that influenced their career decisions. Participant's demographic factors including gender, age, education level, job satisfaction and income level appeared to influence the recognition of chance. A positive correlation was found between participant's ability to identify chance in their own career history and identify chance in another's history. It was also found that an external locus of control was positively correlated with a participant's ability to recognize chance occurrences in themselves and others. These results provide further clarification as to the role that chance occurrences play in career development.