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Traditional career development is rooted in a linear and planned approach. An alternative perspective was established by Dr. Jim Bright, career researcher and consultant, and Dr. Robert Pryor, seasoned career development counsellor. Bright and Pryor recognized that the principles of chaos theory are applicable to careers. In a world where uncertainty is the only true constant, the Chaos Theory of Careers (CTC) is grounded in embracing change, chance and complexity. Here are resources to help career professionals apply CTC to support their clients.
Applied chaos: Using the Chaos Theory of Careers in Counselling (Careers – In Theory) [Blog]
From starting by managing expectations to ending with follow-up discussions, this step-by-step guide provides an example of implementing chaos theory when working with clients. While steps are provided, changing their order is also a consideration to ensure activities are based on the client’s unique needs.
Career Development from Chaos to Clarity – The Chaos Theory of Careers (Career Professionals of Canada) [Article]
Along with a summary of CTC, this piece breaks down what its principles look like in action. It provides scenarios such as helping clients deal with transitions and deepening discussions around failures and triumphs.
Chaos Theory of Careers: Standing Out Not Fitting In (Asia Pacific Career Development Journal) [Paper]
This paper argues that the field of career development needs to develop appropriate methods of counselling and education that considers realities of change, complexity and uncertainty. Page 11 features the theory applied in the BECOME career education program, in which students ages 10 and older learn adaptive chaos-informed skills to design and drive their future direction. A majority of those in the program said they learned more about the breadth of careers options. Many changed their initial plan and discovered new career possibilities.
COVID, chaos and careers: Using the chaos theory of careers to navigate uncertainty (CERIC) [Webinar]
In this free webinar, Jim Bright covers the fundamentals of CTC, the importance of limitations in behaviour change, the co-dependent relationship of order and disorder, and more. He also touches on CTC tools and techniques that career professionals can use with clients or in education. CERIC’s book Career Theories and Models at Work: Ideas for Practice also features a co-authored piece and case vignette by Bright and Robert Pryor.
Embracing Chaos Theory of Careers (National Career Development Association) [Article]
Encouraging preparation over planning and emphasizing adaptation are few recommendations typically made in alignment with CTC. This piece encourages career professionals to completely change the narrative by emphasizing that no career path is guaranteed. For example, giving students a way to envision possible lives without internalizing failure of their first option doesn’t go according to plan.
Four Ways to Navigate Career Chaos (HigherEdJobs) [Article]
The ability to leverage change and uncertainty in career development is explored through these strategies: emergent thinking, networking, storytelling and the analogy of meandering/hill climbing.
Mastering the power of C.H.A.O.S. (CERIC) [Blog]
While there is no one-size-fits-all for addressing client needs, the C.H.A.O.S. acronym flips the meaning of chaos and gives a structured way to support those facing loss or change within their career. These principles are Control, Help, Adaptability, Order and Stories.
Positive Uncertainty and the Strange Attractor (Inside Higher Ed) [Article]
A graduate student counsellor shares his experience of advising PhD students and why he became a proponent of using the CTC to frame graduate student career exploration.
Additional resources
- Chaos Theory of Careers Explained – Interview with Dr Jim Bright at Vanderbilt University (Jim Bright) [Video]
- Embrace Ambivalence When Making Big Career Decisions (Harvard Business Review) [Article]
- Spotlight on the chaos theory of careers (New Zealand Government) [Article]
