How to plan a coincidence – and the importance of being squiggly

In part one of this series, we looked at the Chaos Theory of Careers, one of three postmodern career theories and conceptual frameworks that can help us understand the non-linearity of today’s careers. Here, in part two, we’ll look at Planned Happenstance Theory, as well as the conceptual framework from the book The Squiggly Career. 

Creating and transforming chance events: Planned Happenstance Theory

Planned Happenstance Theory contains an oxymoron. A happenstance is a coincidence that cannot be planned. So how does this work?

Planned Happenstance Theory was developed by psychology and education professor John Krumboltz. It is similar to the Chaos Theory of Careers, in that it acknowledges that the environment contains various unpredictable events that can lead to learning of all sorts. 

However, this theory goes further, to propose that individuals can generate events on their own to maximise their learning. It puts the emphasis on the individual and acknowledges that they will create and transform unplanned events. Think about when you took a proactive approach after encountering an unpredictable event. Or how, when looking for a new job, you purposefully put yourself out there to meet people and encounter opportunities. 

Here’s an example from my own career illustrating Planned Happenstance Theory. When I decided to drop out of a PhD programme, I didn’t want to do so without a plan. I wanted to go back to Budapest, where I had studied before. I randomly started Googling government scholarships, and found that Hungary has bilateral agreements with many countries, allowing for full-ride scholarships, and South Korea was one of the partners. I also found a master’s programme in cognitive science. 

I researched the process, applied and headed there (where I encountered many more twists and turns in my career path). In this case, I purposefully generated events (for example, googling scholarships) to enhance my chances. 

How can counsellors use Planned Happenstance Theory?

Planned Happenstance Theory is helpful for counsellors because it explicitly spells out our roles. We’re here to help students and clients learn “skills, interests, beliefs, values, work habits and personal qualities”.

Planned Happenstance Theory proposes five skills:

1. Curiosity: exploring new learning opportunities

2. Persistence: exerting effort despite setbacks

3. Flexibility: changing attitudes and circumstances

4. Optimism: viewing new opportunities as possible and attainable

5. Risk-taking: taking action in the face of uncertain outcomes.

So, the oxymoron works, because individuals must plan to generate chance opportunities – and be receptive to them.

If you’d like to learn more about Planned Happenstance Theory, the following resources may be helpful: 

• Overview from Careers Government NZ
• Article from the California Association of Science Educators
• Handout with activity, from McMaster University 

Careers are meant to be squiggly: The Squiggly Career

Both the Chaos Theory of Careers and Planned Happenstance Theory acknowledge that careers are not linear. Careers professionals Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis would strongly agree with this, too. 

In their book The Squiggly Career, Tupper and Ellis put forward a brilliantly simple visual analogy. Careers are not linear but are meant to be squiggly, which means that twists and turns are perfectly natural occurrences. In their TEDx talk, they even propose that the career ladder is a limiting idea in their TEDx talk.

To develop a successful squiggly career, Tupper and Ellis propose developing the following skills. 

  1. Super strengths: focus on what you’re good at (not your weaknesses)

  2. Values: know your values and align your career choice with them.

  3. Confidence: confidence isn’t fixed but can be built. Do so with small wins.

  4. Networks: let go of the old notion of networking (vertical, transactional) and cultivate diverse networks, in which you’re contributing.

  5. Future possibilities: multiple career transitions are now the norm. Explore possibilities and take ownership.

This is a very short summary of an insight-filled book, so I strongly encourage counsellors to check it out. Tupper and Ellis also present a podcast and offer resources – available on their official company website.

Integrating postmodern career theories into our counselling

We can apply the takeaways of these postmodern career theories to our conversations with students and parents as well as in our counselling curriculum. 

For the indecisive student who doesn’t know what they want to do in five years’ time, this can come as a relief. And for the parent or student with very precise expectations, this can offer a more realistic outlook.

Here are some lessons I am taking away for myself based on these theories, which I’m integrating into my conversations with students and parents. I teach these explicitly in my counselling curriculum. 

• Indecision over a major choice, including career choice, is OK.
• Students are not necessarily bound by their major choices or degrees.
• Students should be ready for chance encounters – and actively generate them.
• Networking is essential.
• Students need to know themselves: their strengths and values.
• Never stop learning. 

Life can and will throw curveballs, and our careers won’t always go according to plan. Let’s tell our students that that’s perfectly alright, and then teach them how they can have agency over their careers even when things seem to be falling apart.