Multicultural Career Counseling Grand Canyon University: PC-525 August 30, 2013 Cyril Worm Introduction This research paper will summarize "Holland Theory of Vocational Choice"; followed by a practical application of the theory to this Author's life. Other than the textbook for this class; one other resource cited in the reference section was used to make the following concise summation of Holland Theory.Holland Theory of Vocational Choice Holland Theory can be summarized as follows: In western culture what are referred to in this theory as, "Holland Codes", make up one of six personality types Career Key Organization, 1997) (see details and specifics in section two).
Workers in any given vocation, who have the same or closely related, personality type(s), ideally share environments to support their corresponding personality. For example: An artistic personality would benefit from an environment that fosters creativity (or choose any other adjective that corresponds).Work environments correspond directly with the six personality codes. People search for "match specific environments where they can use their skills and abilities in expression of their values and attitudes. " (Career Key Organization, 1997, p. Era 4.
) The fundamental basis of this model is the congruent theoretical relationship that implies: The closer a person is to pairing their given personality type with a matching environment; the closer they are to success and satisfaction in their vocation.Holland Theoretical Model is contrary to current vocational theories because it fosters an inverse relationship regarding diversity among peers in the work environment.
Holland Theory of Vocational Choice is a simplistic model that notably ignores the developmental aspects of modern careers (vocations) and "when used in career unseeing (it), requires a working knowledge of several inventories and diagnostic measures. " (Junker, 2012, p. 30. Holland Theory Practical Application Example Here is what Holland Theory looks like when applied to this Author's life: Author's Personality when asked was reported as: 1) Artistic, 2) Realistic, and, 3) Investigative. So Author would theoretically want a work environment that meets the following dynamic specifications: 1) Theoretically Compatible Vocations for Artistic: Art Teacher, Musician, Advertising Exec. , Writer, Performer.
Author would theoretically alee likened co-workers who appreciate creatively relevant themes and ideas. ) Theoretically Compatible Vocations for Realistic: Mechanic, Banker, Accountant, Farming, and Computer Repair. Author would theoretically value co-workers who are prone to predictable or outcome thinking. Example: Water makes plants grow when applied daily, outside environment. 3) Theoretically Compatible Vocations for Investigative: Scientist, Medicine, Biologist, and Chemist. Author would theoretically value likened co-workers who are good at science and math problems.
The same is true for each example above.According to Holland Theory the next most compatible vocation if personality is artistic for example, are the vocations that come next on the hexagon or Investigative and Social. In doing practical applications of this theory, this Author found that the Holland Theoretical Model supports true vocational aspirations and historically desired work environments true to the Author's core self-image. Here are the Theoretical specifics and a short explanation to aid the reader: Author worked as a child doing work with his hands like bagging groceries, mowing yards, and labor intensive tasks.
This did not fulfill my creative or investigative tendencies so after college I Joined the Peace Corps where Author was very suited in Vocation and matching environment of Artistic (peers liked music I had written, I got to learn piano and guitar, peers appreciated my ideals for realistic, and my fictional writing) , Realistic (l felt people understood my views that the world was not equal and that something was fundamentally wrong with poverty, war, and similar disbelief in altruism), Investigative (science minded people tend to make more sense to me, because sometimes social aspects seem nonlinear to me).The rest of my Job history allows this model and is very close to Holland Theory. If you want, look at my profile for this class and note my previous vocations. Conclusion It is interesting to note that Holland Model state that counseling as a career is not the right environment for my personality which in certain ways is true.
I see counseling as something that should be more objective and scientifically based on empirical practices.
