John Holland's Typology Essay

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The trait-oriented theories focus on matching traits with occupational requirements. Traits such as personality, abilities, and values are taken into consideration when matching an individual to an occupation. John Holland’s typology is an important model in trait theories. Holland’s typology described that an individual’s personality and other variables make them attracted to certain careers. Holland explained that, “one chooses a career to satisfy one’s preferred modal personal orientation” (Zunker, 2012, p.27). For example, an individual with an investigative personality will be driven to choose a career that satisfies that aspect of their personality. Investigative personality styles will choose scientific career such as, chemist, mathematician and computer programmer. Holland’s Typology applies to two of the interviewees, Charley and Marcos. Charley and Marcos were both driven by their investigative personality to choose a career orientation in computing. From a young age Charley’s personality made him curious about how things functioned. Both Charley and Marcos were very task oriented, interested in math and science, and had the ability to think analytically. Both of these individuals were attracted to computer science and engineering because of their …show more content…

33). Thus, individuals are driven to certain careers learning though observations and role models. Furthermore, Social Learning Theories addresses faulty career beliefs that creates limitation in the individual’s career choice. Krumboltz’s Learning Theory of Career Counseling explains how the career choices of an individual are based on genetic endowments, special abilities, environmental condition, and learning experiences. Experiences and learning are important in Social Learning Theories; thus, this theory applies to the interviewee

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