Waiting for a career epiphany - a barrier to decision-making?

Houston, K; Cunningham, EA

Abstract

The desire for a career epiphany, a sudden realisation of a future career, can often feature as an unspoken wish in career conversations with students and graduates. This yearning for certainty causes indecisiveness, a fear of making the wrong decision or a ‘not yet’ conclusion.
In this qualitative research study, students and graduates confirmed themes of meta-indecision, a decision to not make a decision. Advice from graduates, careers advisers and employability academics challenged the need for absolute certainty as a prerequisite for first career decisions. This article argues that students and graduates can break through analysis paralysis and shape ‘good enough’ career plans.

Citation

Houston, K., & Cunningham, E. (2018). Waiting for a career epiphany - a barrier to decision-making?. Journal of the National Institute for Career Education and Counselling, 40, 25-32

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 27, 2017
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: May 9, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: May 9, 2018
• Journal: Journal of the National Institute for Career Education and Counselling
• Print ISSN: 2046-1348
• Electronic ISSN: 2059-4879
• Volume: 40
• Pages: 25-32
• Publisher URL: http://www.nicec.org
• Related Public URLs: http://www.nicec.org/nicec-journal
• Additional Information: Access Information : Posted with permission of the Journal of the National Institute for Career Education and Counselling.