Making Career Decisions in a Relational Context

The authors describe the results of a discovery-oriented investigation in which they examined the role of relationships in career decision making. Using the responses of 58 young adults who were asked about their real-life career decision making in the course of the transition from school to work, the authors performed a qualitative analysis that addressed questions about the ways in which others are involved in individual decision making. Their analysis suggested 18 different categories and three overarching themes that show the ways in which others involve themselves (Actions of Others), are invoked by the decider (Recruitment of Others), or are excluded from an individual’s deliberations (Pushing Others Away). Examples of each category and theme are provided. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for existing career decision-making style taxonomies, for counseling practice, and for future research and theory.