PRESENTATION TO DECISIONS AT 18 CONFERENCE, SHEFFIELD I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF Why young people find it difficult to make career decisions and access help with their careers Tristram Hooley, Professor of Career Education, University of Derby I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF Why young people find it difficult to make career decisions and access help with their careers Tristram Hooley, Professor of Career Education, University of Derby

Think about your own decision to go to university? What were you deciding between? How did you make the decision? Who was important in the decision? How far were you going along with what you were always expected to do?

Problems young people have with career decision-making not realising that they are making a career choice not knowing where to start only having limited experiences to draw on from their family and friends having no personal experience of work or the workplace having very limited awareness of the range of courses, occupations and careers that are available not being able to find the information that they would find helpful in making career choices not having anyone to talk their career choice over with.

Systemic challenges in the England High levels of inequality Shifting and highly marketised education system Low levels of youth employment (most choices are basically more school) Career guidance provision limited and in transition

Does the internet offer the solution? The internet increases access to information and resources that support career decision making. It also increases access to networks and helpers. However it requires decision making skill to make the most of this. Furthermore there is a lot of BAD information out there!

Examining 4 decision making models Rational decision making Behavioural Opportunity structure Careership

Behavioural models 2+2=? 4 System 1 – ‘going with your gut’ Fast, intuitive, powerful decision making 24X14=? 336 System 2 – ‘thinking it through’ Slow, clunky decision making for dealing with unusual problems Feed this system Think about when to use this

The opportunity structure

Careership Horizons for action Pragmatic decision making which combines type 1 and type 2 systems The longitudinal perspective. Routines and turning points.

Who can help? Career supporters Career informants Congruent professionals Para- professionals Career development professionals

Implications for practice Career education and work-related learning can feed system 1 thinking. Recognise both the horizon and the individual. Help people to use their networks to find supporters.

References Hodkinson, P. (2008). Understanding Career Decision-Making and Progression: Careership Revised. John Killeen Memorial Lecture, Woburn House, London 16th October Hooley, T., Bright, J. and Winter, D. (2016). You’re Hired! Job Hunting Online: The Complete Guide. Bath: Trotman. Hooley, T., Johnson, C. and Neary, S. (2016). Professionalism in Careers. Careers England and the Career Development Institute. Kahnemann, D. (2012). Thinking, Fast and Slow. London: Penguin Roberts, K. (1975). The Developmental Theory of Occupational Choice: A Critique and an Alternative. In Esland, G., Salaman, G. and Speakman, M. (Eds.) People and Work. Edinburgh: Holmes McDougall with Open University Press.

Conclusions Career decisions are not necessarily rational. Some of the tools of rational career decision making may actually lead to bad decision making. Career decisions are not made by individuals alone. It is necessary to recognise the limitations to young people’s horizons (both structural and perceptual) if we are going to help them.

Tristram Hooley Professor of Career Education International Centre for Guidance Studies University of Derby Blog at