Post 5

As I began reading the article for this week’s class, I found myself wondering: “What the heck does synchronicity mean?” Because the word was used at least 5 times on the first page, I hoped the authors would eventually explain the meaning of this concept, and I was happy to find that they elaborated on the second page, describing synchronicity as the “occurrence of a meaningful coincidence in time,” accounting for “striking and apparently inexplicable occurrences that link two or more events, usually an inner thought or feeling and an outer event” (Guindon and Hanna, 2002). Now I knew what the word meant, but I’m not sure I bought into it or would use it in career counseling. What the authors were describing sounds like serendipity to me, or even more unbelievable, magic.   I could not really visualize telling a potential client that fate had a role in determining their career path. What were they doing talking to me then? What was the point of expending any effort in any endeavor if fate was going to intervene anyway? Let’s all sleep in! I continued reading…perhaps the case studies would offer some concrete examples.

The case studies did offer some good strategies for career counseling, however I thought the effective techniques were unrelated to the concept of synchronicity.  For instance, the counselor in the second case study used the Myers-Briggs Assessment and Strong Interest Inventory to confirm that Sarah’s personalities and values did not fit with her current position. She also used some self-esteem interventions, instructed Sarah in job search skills and provided her with world-of work resources. Finally, she helped with stress management and relaxation techniques.  All of these strategies contributed towards Sarah finding a job that was a perfect match for her.  The fact that she had a dream which related somewhat to the setting of the interview was interesting, but it did not in any way contribute to her job search. Instead, the “career counseling process served as a catalyst to self-examination and led to second-order change from which a transcendent sense of self emerged” (Guindon and Hanna, 2002). Because of this renewed sense of self and confidence, the individuals in the case studies were open to opportunities and actively seeking connections.  They identified opportunities because of this new attitude, not because a character in a dream led them in a particular direction. Their dreams and visions only affirmed the decisions and changes they had already made.

Guindon, Mary A., and Hanna, Fred J. (2002). “Coincidence, Happenstance, Serendipity, Fate, or the Hand of God: Case Studies in Synchronicity.” The Career Development Quarterly, Volume 50, 195-208.