Who I Am and What I Want to Do: Linking Self-Construals and Career Interests

Two studies examined how four self-construals (independent, interdependent, relational, and physical) predict career interests. We hypothesized that (1) independent self-construal would predict career interests in science, law, and art, (2) interdependent self-construal would predict career interests in business and human relations, (3) relational self-construal would predict career interests in family and social services, and (4) physical self-construal would predict career interests in manual labor, trade skills, and athletics. In Study 1 ( n = 240), participants completed online surveys of the four self-construals and the Basic Interest Markers (BIMs). The results showed that the four self-construals predicted corresponding career interests while controlling for sex. Physical self-construal predicted corresponding career interests the most consistently. Study 2 ( n = 149) included a Holland Code survey rather than the BIM. Results showed that independent, interdependent, and physical self-construals predicted corresponding Holland themes while controlling for sex. Implications for Super’s career development approach are discussed.