| Abstract: | Employing Holland's personality theory ofoccupational decision making, this study explores howpersonality-career fit influences initial medical careeraspirations among college freshmen, and the extent to which such fit is associated with themaintenance or abandonment of those aspirations.Personality types thought to be common among physicians(Holland's investigative, social, or artistic types) are predictive of aspiring to a medicalcareer-findings that validate the importance of fit between an individual's personalityand career choice generally, and the choice of medicinespecifically. Moreover, the personality characteristics ofstudents are related to the careers they later choose asalternatives to medicine. Overall, these findingsprovide additional support for Holland's occupational decision-making theory of personality-careerfit, and illustrate how personality characteristics aresystematically associated with changes in career choiceduring college. |
