As the title suggests, this is an article about looking to your childhood — yes, to the years of carefree and moody adolescence — to steer your future. I recently read a case study by Mark L. Savickas, Ph.D., who authored the Career Construction Theory. In the case study, Savickas explores the life story of a young, 20-something searching for a major to declare. As she narrates her story through a list of structured questions, Savickas strives to “look for the core value and listen for the heartbeat of career.” The heartbeat manifesting in those themes of life that start to surface as we look backwards and investigate our core selves, demonstrated through our childhood role models and memories.
The case study inspired me to look into this practice to uncover and share my own story and my own heartbeat. I give you my story, and the ABCs of finding your “heartbeat”:
A) First, recognize who you were. As I began this journey of looking backwards, I remembered a home video of me at about 8 years old playing and swinging on some monkey bars while my mom filmed the moment. Near the end of the video, I introduce myself as “Dazzler,” the broadcast reporter only to quickly dismiss this identity and confirm that I am truly, in fact, one of the X-Men.
This, for me, describes a lot of who I am as a person. I played “make believe” frequently as a child. I used beds as boats, saving the world from impending lava…one stuffed animal at a time; I used the outdoors as a canvas for imagining secret worlds hiding beneath the willow trees; and I used bedtime as the opportunity to daydream. That was who I was. A dreamer.
B) Second, recognize who you are. Funnily enough, I became a journalist and editor for about five years. It wasn’t as “dazzling” as I imagined Dazzler, the reporter’s life to be. After about five years of chasing that dream, I realized I was just Crystal, the reporter who was tired and worn out and unhappy. During this time, I took career assessments, keeping the results of every one of them, fascinated by the themes woven throughout. I often thought, “Is this a job? Is thinking about and looking up different careers a job?”
It should be noted that Savickas focuses on people finding the activity that consumes us, transforming the “preoccupation into an occupation.” Researching careers was that for me. I was occupied by self- and career-discovery, dreaming of the what-if’s. After researching a bit more, I found a graduate program for career counseling and graduated from a master’s program at Colorado State University, finding a deep sense of purpose in the mission of helping others find their career path. I find the work to be incredibly fulfilling while leaning into my core values of creativity and helping others.
C) Third, recognize who you are becoming. The next step in this process has been to envision my future self — the person I am becoming — to see how my heartbeat will grow strong. For me, that has meant to re-discover myself as a professional within this new career path and to develop my own mission statement. To be a career counselor/coach/consultant who strives to engage the truly lost, helping others hear what they have to say, see what they have to offer, and stand by their dreams, instilling in them hope for the future; learning they are human with their own strengths that need affirmation, their own differences that need respect, and their own similarities that can be appreciated. To channel the little “Dazzler” in me while working with clients using positivity and dreaming about possibility.
The interesting part of this exercise is that it focuses on our core. And that core begins in childhood. We sometimes forget the personhood of children, believing that while they are forming their personalities, they have yet to become a full human. And yet, our children are people. They are little versions of who they will become. Let’s lean into that and pour into their core values and let them find their “heartbeat.”
More on Career Construction Theory
Career Construction Theory, by Dr. Mark Savickas, offers a framework that empowers individuals to construct meaningful and fulfilling professional lives. At the heart of CCT lies the premise that careers are not predetermined paths but rather ongoing projects shaped by an individual’s unique experiences, ambitions, and environmental influences. Savickas suggests that individuals are active agents in their career development, constantly engaging in self-reflection, decision-making, and adaptation to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace.
Central to CCT is the practice of narrative construction, telling your story. According to Savickas, individuals make sense of their career experiences by crafting personal narratives that give meaning and coherence to their professional journey. These narratives are not fixed scripts but rather evolving stores that individuals revise and reinterpret as they progress through life.
Another key component is the idea of career adaptability. Savickas identifies four dimensions of adaptability — concern, control, curiosity, and confidence — that influence how individuals respond to career challenges and opportunities. By cultivating these adaptive qualities, which can be done starting in childhood, individuals can enhance their resilience and navigate transitions with greater ease and efficacy.
Furthermore, CCT emphasizes the importance of life themes and vocational personality in career development. Life themes are recurring patterns and motifs that shape individuals’ career choices and experiences, while vocational personality reflects their consistent traits and preferences in the workplace. Understanding these elements provides insight into individuals’ career interests, values, and strengths, guiding them toward roles and environments that align with their authentic selves.
One of the most compelling aspects of CCT is its recognition of the sociocultural context in which careers unfold. Savickas acknowledges that careers are influenced by broader societal forces such as economic trends, cultural norms, and organizational structures. By acknowledging these external factors, CCT encourages individuals to consider the intersectionality of their identities and the systemic barriers that may impact their career opportunities.
In practical terms, CCT offers a wealth of tools and interventions for career practitioners to support individuals in their career development journey. From narrative techniques to experiential exercises, these interventions help individuals explore their self-concept, clarify their goals, and make informed career decisions aligned with their values and aspirations.
First published on Crystal’s LinkedIn in 2015; updated for this blog.
