Interpreting and Applying Career Decision-Making Models: Comment on Carson and Mowsesian

Carson and Mowsesian (1990) critically discussed the career decision-making models described and compared by Gati (1986) and Gati and Tikotzki (1989). First, I distinguish and separately analyze three issues that were confounded in Carson and Mowsesian's discussion of the two modes of evaluations of desires: (a) typical versus atypical career decisions, (b) whether quantification of human desires can be meaningful, and (c) whether the transformations of the individual's desires and values into qualitative or quantitative terms are "strong" or "weak" evaluations. Second, I distinguish among the processes that shape our desires, the process of operationalizing these desires, and the process of using the individual's desires to identify career options compatible with these desires. The relationships among the three basic orientations proposed by Carson and Mowsesian are discussed and related to various career decision-making styles and strategies. Third, the implications for career counselors are explored.