Making decisions about and designing your career path can be an intimidating task. One of the most common challenges that people face is not knowing what your options are. In this article we offer you a framework which will help you frame your thinking around your career’s design.
Decision dynamics career model
The Decisions dynamics career model (referred to as DDCM for short in this article) is the name of this framework. It was design jointly by American and Swedish researchers Michael J. Driver, Kenneth R. Brousseau, and Rikard Larsson and Katarina Kling based on over 40 decades of scientific research (research description in Swedish only).
The 4 career types
The main feature of the DDCM is that it distinguishes between 4 career types: expert, linear, extension, and episodic. Each type is described in more detail below.
1. Expert
Description
The expert career view is one of the most common views. It describes those careers in which the person works in one specific area for most of their lives. They accumulate experience and further specialize in that area, slowly becoming an authority in the field.
Success
For the expert, success is often defined as being one of the best in their field and having a high level of expertise.
2. Linear
Description
The linear career path is often seen in organizations. According to this view, the desired career path is the ascension on the corporate ladder. One tries to advance quickly to higher positions in the hierarchy.
Success
Therefore, success for this career type is usually judged based on the highest level achieved in the corporate hierarchy. Other indicators for success are the responsibility, power, and influence which one has in the organization..
3. Extension
Description
The extension career path is a less common and more dynamic career path. Those with this style tend to change occupational fields and industries every 5 to 10 years. They carry their skills, knowledge, and expertise from one position to the other and initiate a voyage of both learning and exploration. They are equally interested in expanding their skillset, as well as in using their existing knowledge to bring fresh and novel perspectives in the area they are exploring.
Success
Success for the extension career types is seen as securing one’s ability to constantly expand and explore in one’s personal and professional growth.
4. Episodic
Description
The episodic career view is one of the most unconventional views. Many of those fitting in this type do not consider themselves as having a career. This is because they experience a lot of changes in their work life.
Success
For the episodic types, success is achieved when they are free to choose and explore as they please.
Strengths and weaknesses for each of the 4 career types
Learn more
To find out more about the DDCM check out the Decision Dynamics website on which this article was based. The content is only available in Swedish.
This blog contains elements from this NyTeknik article (Swedish only).