PERSONALITY, CREATIVE INCLINATIONS AND ALTERNATIVE SELVES INNFLUENCING CAREER CHOICES

This paper focuses on self-selection into career paths by newly graduating students and contributes to understanding early career choices in light of individuals’ identity and fundamental traits This study looks into the existence of an alternative self amongst respondents in order to see whether an alternative self impacts an individual’s career path. Respondents were asked to describe their alternative self (if they believed they had one) and rate its importance. The study will also look at the relationship between personality traits measured through the five-factor model (FFM), and how personality traits correlate with measures relating to chosen specific career paths. Additionally, respondents’ creative inclinations are taken into account in explaining career choices. With the responses collected via a survey, we have data on 81 respondents of which 63% are female and 64% are graduating with a degree in Management). The respondents come from two consecutive cohorts that had taken an introductory course in Organizational Behavior at a London university during their first year. With their personality data collected at entry into their undergraduate studies, and outcome data on their job market performance and choices being collected upon completion of their degree, this study moves beyond correlation evidence towards causal inferences about the impact of stable individual traits on career choices.