Discuss two different models of occupational choices—that of Holland and the SCCT—and discuss how these two models may actually work in a complementary fashion

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Holland's model is called the personality type theory, and it proposes that people choose occupations to optimize the fit between their personal traits—including personality, intelligence, skills, and abilities—and their occupational interests. He categorizes occupations by the interpersonal settings in which people must function and their associated lifestyles. The six occupational personality types are realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional.

Social cognitive career theory (or SCCT) proposes that career choices are a result of the application of Bandura's social cognitive theory, particularly the concept of self-efficacy. It posits that job selection is influenced by one's own interests, and has six different factors: self-efficacy (your belief in your ability), outcome expectations (what you think will happen in a particular situation), interests (what you like), choice goals (what you want to achieve), supports (environmental things that help you), and barriers (environmental things that block or frustrate you).

The two theories work in compliment because the factors of the SCCT are not mutually exclusive from the Holland types. In fact, all six factors of SCCT can be examined within any one of the Holland types, and the two theories share their common emphasis on the relevance of one's interests in their occupational choice.