Career Development: A Ten-Year Longitudinal Study in Population Scientists

Abstract

This research addressed two trends in vocational psychology: (a) an increased emphasis on career development and (b) a renewed interest in the psychology of science. It was conducted in the context of longitudinal research on 2,710 population scientists. Holland type scores were derived for these scientists' undergraduate majors, highest degree fields, and positions in 1980, 1985, and 1989. Productivity measures for the years 1981-90 were compiled for convention presentations, journal publications, service as an editorial consultant and as a Principal Investigator, and citations by other scientists. The same pattern of type scores, IES, was obtained on all five occasions; longitudinal correlations within types were substantial; and Investigative and Congruence scores were significantly associated with persistence and productivity in population science. Individually, these findings are consistent with Holland's theory; in combination, they provide impressive support for it.