Possible Selves and Occupational Choices

These studies explore the usefulness of thinking about one's occupational future in gender-linked jobs from the perspective of "possible selves." We developed lists of feminine, masculine, and neutral occupations and asked 31 women and 66 men how possible they thought these jobs were for them, and how much they feared them (i.e., believed they would be unhappy doing them). Women feared masculine jobs more than they rated such jobs as possible. Both women and men feared feminine jobs more than they viewed these jobs as possible. The occupational list was revised and a second sample of 34 women was asked how much they expected, feared, and hoped for these gender-typed jobs. The results were similar. Women feared both the masculine and feminine jobs more than they saw these jobs as possible, and there was some indication they hoped for the masculine jobs more than they expected them. The results are discussed in terms of how a possible selves approach could facilitate career assessment and counseling.