Mitchell (1975) Model of Decision Making

     In reading Chapter 3, I came across the part of the chapter where it talks about"theories of decision making."  It talks about how the importance of decision making, and how each theorist incorporates the decision making process into the way they view career development. One particular theory that stood out to me, was the theory proposed by Mitchell (1975).  

In his theory, Mitchell identifies four elements of preferences held by the decision maker :

1. Absolute constraints are the factors that must be present or absent for the alternative to be viable.
2. Negative characteristics are undesirable aspects
3. Positive Characteristics are desirable aspects.
4. Neutral Characteristics are aspects present but irrelevant to the choice to be made.

     In reviewing this particular theory by Mitchell (1975), I thought it would be interesting to relate his four elements to my own career development. First, he mentions absolute constraints which for me personally, is a job that is stable and secure. I like knowing that I will have a job to go to every morning, and especially in thinking ahead a bit, I will want something to be able to help support my future family when the time comes. I also think that it is important for the job to be safe. I would like to think that there is minimal risk associated with my career choice, which is a clinical therapist so I believe I did make a choice that supports not only this absolute constraint of personal safety, but also relative job security.

      Second, negative characteristics would be that I wouldn't want the job to be unchallenging. I like a challenge, and I think with working with many different kinds of people and personalities I don't think this will be too much of a problem. Third, Mitchell mentions his element of Positive Characteristics which for a clinical therapist would be that my schedule should be able to somewhat flexible, which I think is a definite plus. It will be good that I can hopefully create my own schedule by scheduling clients at a time of day that best works for me.  Obviously I will want to put the client's schedule first, but an example to better illustrate what I mean would be say, I don't want to start before 9:30 or 10:00am (a lot of jobs start at 8 and go until 4pm), I should be able to manage coming in later in the morning. Additionally, I can take on as many or as little clients as I see fit (depending on my case load), so it will be more relaxed/laid back compared to if I were in an office. Lastly, a neutral characteristic related to my career choice of becoming a therapist is that it is assumed that my  office where I will be seeing clients will be in a relatively relaxed environment which will allow the client to feel comfortable and safe in disclosing information to me, so that I can help treat him/her.

All of these elements combine to help me feel very comfortable with the career choice that made!