Incorporation of Chance Into Career Development Theory and Research

Abstract

In a climate in which career transitions are increasingly common, chance events may have a greater influence on career development. This article is a review of how well the current theory and research can account for the interaction between chance events and career development. Chance events are characterized as being unpredictable and unplanned to the person who experiences them. However, existing research and theory have largely failed to consider these unique qualities of chance events. Theories based on learning principles such as happenstance learning theory (Krumboltz, 1996, 2009), social cognitive career theory, and cognitive information processing theory of career development provide a framework for understanding the processes that occur when people are affected by or respond to events that are predictable or unplanned. This review considers this potential and concludes with suggestions for possible avenues for future research.