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Kimberly C. Hastey, PhD
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Research Summary:
What is "vocational identity?"​
The goal in understanding your career interests is so that you develop a clear vocational identity.
Vocational identity: "the possession of a clear and stable picture of one's goals, interests, personality, and talents. This characteristic leads to relatively untroubled decision-making and confidence in one's ability to make good decisions in the face of inevitable environmental barriers"
(Holland, et al., 1980).
Quick summary of "vocational identity" research
Education and psychology research both strongly indicate that developing a clear vocational identity has benefits throughout many life stages.
(Research citations are listed below.)
In High School
High schoolers who have a clearer vocational identity have also been found to have:
* a stronger sense of overall identity
* less anxiety and higher general mental health
* less career indecision
* greater future-orientation with long-term goals
* a closer emotional relationship with parents
In College
College students who are studying a field that matches their vocational interests have been found to have:
* less social anxiety and more tolerance of ambiguity
* greater leadership skills, creativity and originality, and use of their special talents
* higher self-confidence in making career decisions
* higher levels of academic adjustment, personal growth, and initiative
* lower drop-out rates or abandoning college studies
* higher academic achievement and degree completion
In a Career
Employees who work in a career that matches their vocational identity have been found to have:
* stronger job performance
* higher job satisfaction and less career change
* higher motivation and less cynicism
* more self-confidence and awareness of one's limitations, abilities, and potential
* stronger belief they are doing meaningful work
* higher job stability and commitment
* greater feeling of a personal meaning in life
Overall, this following paragraph is one of the most powerful summaries I've read about the significance of career development at the high school age:
"A number of researchers have studied the career development of adolescents and found that vocational identity development is one of the most important and central tasks in an adolescent's life. Therefore, it has great impact on the various aspects of one's life ranging from overall mental health to many other aspects of daily life, such as the relationship with parents and school adjustment" (Ohashi, 2009).
References:
Chen, N., & Zhang, L. (2020). Mediating role of meaningful work and vocational identity on the relationship between perceived family supportive supervisor behaviour and career satisfaction. Journal of Psychology in Africa.
De Klerk, J.J. (2003). Motivation to work, work commitment and man's will to meaning. Dissertation, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Deng, W., Feng, Z., & Yao, X. (2021). Occupational identity, job satisfaction, and their effects on turnover intention among Chinese Pediatricians: a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Services Research.
Harkness, Helen (2005). Capitalizing on Career Chaos: Bringing Creativity and Purpose to Your Work and Life. Boston: Nicholas Brealey.
Holland, J.L. (1992). Making vocational choices: A theory of vocational personalities and work environments (2nd ed). Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.
Holland, J.L., Daiger, D.C., & Power, P.G. (1980). My vocational situation. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
Li, M., Fan, W., Cheung, F. M., Wang, Q. (2018). Could meaning in life contribute to adolescents' vocational commitment and identity? A longitudinal analysis in different Chinese cultures. Cambridge University Press.
Nye, C.D., Su, R., Rounds, J., & Drasgow, F. (2012). Vocational interests and performance: A quantitative summary of over 60 years of research. Perspectives on Psychological Science.
Ohashi, T. (2009). The Effect of Holland's RIASEC Interest Inventory on the Vocational Identity Development of Japanese High School Students. Dissertation, The Department of Counseling and Higher Education and the College of Education of Ohio University.
Prince, Jeffrey P. (2012). Strong Interest Inventory College Profile User's Guide. Sunnyvale, CA: The Myers-Briggs Company.
Smart, J.C., Feldman, K.A., & Ethington, C.A. (2006). Holland's Theory and Patterns of College Student Success. National Postsecondary Education Cooperative.
Smitina, A. (2009). Student risks to drop-out and relation with vocational identity.
Webb, R.M., Lubinski, D., & Benbow, C.P. (2002). Mathematically facile adolescents with math-science aspirations: New perspectives on their educational and vocational development. Journal of Educational Psychology.
Zhang, C., & Hirschi, A. (2021). Forget about the money? A latent profile analysis of calling and work motivation in Chinese employees. Career Development International.
"The choice of an occupation is an expressive act which reflects the person's motivation, knowledge, personality, and ability." -Dr. John Holland
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