Post 6

            Well, to be honest, the first half of this reading was pretty tough to comprehend. However, I did like the way Bloch presented this theory. I get that Bloch subscribes to the chaos theory. This theory does not adhere to prior career theories. Previous theories that we have read about, especially trait and developmental, seem to fit everyone into a certain path or model. These theories do not consider the unknowns in life. These unknowns are the unpredictable happenings.

            Chaos theory dives into the uncertainty of life and its twists and turns. This theory of career is a complex adaptive entity (Bloch 2005, page 196). Career, just like life, is changing and moving every day. It depends on how we adapt to these changes. Whether we stay stuck, move around and around, or take a risk, we are the adaptors, and the one’s who make the decisions.

            I do agree that life is unpredictable. I can always predict, plan, organize, and prepare for the lessons that I will be teaching tomorrow, but it does not mean that it will turn out how I hoped it to. This occurs because life (career included) is an ever changing system. It is nonlinear because it does not follow a path or model.

            I also agree that changes, small or large, can have a ripple effect on any situation. In this sense, every action has a consequence. I see this in my life on a daily basis. I can be the cause of change (internal) or others can be the cause of change (external). The consequence of either type of change can have a small effect or a large effect on me.

            I enjoyed reading about Marion. I could see some of the terminology that Bloch referenced at the beginning of the article within her case. It was interesting to me that Marion was dissatisfied with her position but still loved her career. You would figure that Marion moved up the ladder like most other professional do. In doing this, people are usually content in pay and position because they “put the time in”. My key word is “usually”. Like I mentioned before, life is unpredictable haha.

            Even though I did like Marion’s case, I felt disappointed that I did not get to see how she would be counseled using chaos theory. Marion may need help to follow the moment of inspiration she experienced (Bloch 2005, page 204). Bloch does acknowledge that Marion may need some help, but why didn’t Bloch follow through with Marion? I would like to see how Marion would have been guided through the chaos theory process.

            I did enjoy reading the implications for practice. The methods Bloch noted are strategies that I could use with my own students. I think that this was the first article that actually had tools to use with clients. It is one thing reading about a theory, but actually putting it in practice can only strengthen the understanding of that theory.

Bloch, D.P. Complexity, Chaos, and Nonlinear Dynamics: A New Perspective on Career Development Theory. The Career Development Quarterly, (53). 2005, p. 194-207.