The Categorization of Serendipitous Career Development Events

Abstract

This study explored two aspects of the construct of serendipity. First, it explored the incidence of serendipitous events influencing career development as perceived by a sample of older adults. Second, it developed categories to describe the events that people reported as significant. The sample was comprised of 237 older adults. Participants responded to a brief questionnaire that asked if their careers were influenced by serendipitous events. Those participants who responded yes were asked to describe the serendipitous events.The results indicated that 63% of the men and 57% of the women felt that their careers were influenced by serendipitous events. Eleven serendipity categories were identified, based on the participants' descriptions of these events. David Campbell (1974) wrote, &dquo;unless you know what you want from life, you are not likely to stumble across it.&dquo; More recently, however, Susan Phillips (1994) suggested that many individuals do not seem to approach career decision making in a &dquo;rational&dquo;-systematic, comprehensive, and methodical-manner. Thus, they do not carefully gather information about themselves and occupational options, integrate the information, and evaluate it to make decisions. Individuals may gather some information, but they often use shortcuts. They may also use decision-making strategies that involve emotion and intuition rather than the information gathering and goal setting recommended by career decision-making experts (Hall, 1986).The concept of serendipity and its influence on career paths has been examined by theorists and researchers using various terms with a range of meanings-nonpredictable, chance, unplanned, happenstance, serendipitythat may have subtle definitional differences. Super et al. (1957) suggested, for example, that nonpredictable factors were possible determinants of The authors wish to thank Tawni Hoeglund and Jody Neuman for serving as expert judges.

Tales of the unexpected: Integrating career shocks in the contemporary careers literature

“…These events are oftentimes unexpected, meaning either that they cannot be anticipated and proactively acted upon or, even when anticipated, the effects of the event are not anticipated. Such events have been called chance events (Bright, Pryor, & Harpham, 2005), serendipity (Betsworth & Hansen, 1996), happenstance (Miller, 1983) and, most recently, career shocks (Seibert, Kraimer, Holtom, & Pierotti, 2013). Examples of these events include unexpectedly losing one's job or a close relative passing away-as examples of negative shocks -or receiving an unexpected promotion or receiving an award -as examples of positive shocks.…”

The Role of Social Context and Serendipitous Events in Career Decision Making

“…The role of chance events in influencing career decision-making has only recently received some attention (Betsworth & Hanson, 1996;Bright, Pryor, & Harpham, in press;Krumboltz, 1998). While various theorists have acknowledged the importance of unplanned influences (Crites, 1969;Mitchell, Jones & Krumboltz, 1979;Super et al, 1957), little serious attention has been given to understanding the nature of the influence of such events on individuals' career decision-making and development.…”

Coincidence, Happenstance, Serendipity, Fate, or the Hand of God: Case Studies in Synchronicity

“…The trait-factor approach developed in a deterministic system that assumed all factors were measurable and knowable. However, many counselors are aware that unknowable instances of coincidence, happenstance, and chance factors can play a significant role in career opportunities (Betsworth & Hansen, 1996). We propose that these factors point to the nonlinear and acausal phenomenon of synchronicity.…”