Last year I was introduced to the career theory of Planned Happenstance (not the pub in St Paul’s for those that know!). Reading this theory developed by Professor John Krumboltz of Stanford University sparked a thought on how my own career journey has not taken a straight line trajectory. Over the years I’ve embraced change and did not shy away from trying different things, different jobs etc. and the discovery of planned happenstance was almost a moment of serendipity!

A career in surveying wasn’t something I ever came across until my late twenties through a chance encounter in London, when I met a building surveyor who’d been practicing for many years. Eager to hear peoples stories and journeys I discovered this career path and immediately thought “this is something I see myself doing”!

Once I got home I got on the laptop and begun to research the job role and the types of companies that offered building surveying services. I took a chance and messaged the building surveyor I’d met earlier expressing my interest and if they could offer any tips, and even went further to ask if I could job shadow or intern at their firm. To my luck they replied and offered me to visit their London office for half a day. I got to experience some of the office environment, eaves dropping on a meeting and also tagged along on a site visit in Central London. This experience although only for a few hours, confirmed my desire to embark on a career as a building surveyor.

Several aspects of the role appealed to me most notably working with/on interesting buildings and the flexibility of working from the office and being on site. Also meeting and collaborating with different professions on a regular basis including engineers, contractors, clients and colleagues was something I liked the idea of.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

Seneca

Having now settled into my role and through speaking to my fellow surveying peers, I discovered that a large majority came across this career path through family or friends who’d either worked as surveyors or knew someone who did. Surveying is not a career which is well known like accounting, marketing or law and has for many years very much been an ‘exclusive’ profession. However the profession has over the years witnessed greater awareness and interest which in turn has improved diversity whether that be gender, ethnic diversity etc., and although there is still a long way to go to truly achieve equity and inclusion, there is a sense from many and a push to ensure the profession is more welcoming and inclusive, something to be commended.

What is planned happenstance

Planned happenstance theory looks at how chance events play a major role in our careers. It’s goal as part of career planning is to generate, recognise, and incorporate chance events into ones career development, in doing so asking us to embrace unexpected events.

This theory highlights five core skills to develop in your career which can be categorised as follows;

1. Curiosity: be eager to learn not only about your company but also about yourself, what have you not explored that you wish you had?
2. Persistence: develop an ability to carry on despite setbacks.
3. Flexibility: understand and embrace the fact that things will and do not always go to plan. Be prepared to go in a different direction.
4. Optimism: have a positive mindset in your ability and that the outcome of your work/decisions will be favourable.
5. Risk taking: where there is uncertainty of outcome, make a decision and take action. Furthermore, learn that new skill, follow up with that client or colleague and be bold in articulating your desired outcome.

Find an appreciation of your previous experiences, good or bad

From my first job at the age of 17 working in a call centre in London through to co-founding and running a language translation agency, a stint in Manchester working in sales and marketing for a property business, a property manager for an estate agent in London and a few other roles in between, my career journey may appear sporadic – something I previously despised. However, upon reflection, I have learned to embrace this diversity of roles I have had the privilege of undertaking and the knowledge I have acquired through each experience along the way especially with dealing and connecting with people from varied walks of life.

Despite entering the surveying profession later than some, I have an appreciation of my previous experiences which I believe will help me become a well rounded surveyor and I encourage others to embrace what is different about them. Through my self employment days having set up Exchange Lingo – a language translation agency I honed in on my negotiation skills, something I now use whilst negotiating dilapidations. Through my work as a property manager I picked up skills such as exercising patience and problem solving, skills I use in my day to day role. Even my brief stint at a driving job came in handy as I do sometimes drive across the country for site visits. This again ties to the planned happenstance theory in that we should expect the unexpected and be prepared for chance opportunities.

Practice open-mindedness

When it comes to success we should embrace unplanned events as both “inevitable and desirable” Mitchell et al (1999). Often times a career path is set, take for instance an accountant who graduates and then sits their ACCA or ACA exams and achieves chartership then works in a particular field in accounting until retirement (granted there is nothing wrong with this and happiness comes in many forms to us all), many times this isn’t the case and we should embrace that careers and life in general doesn’t always move in a straight line. There are many career success examples of people who have gone on to do great things without following the traditional route.

One thing I now live by and encourage is to be inspired by others but ultimately follow your own passions. What might appear to be working for someone may not necessarily be for you nor bring you happiness. Embrace your unique journey and find your planned happenstance.

If anyone is considering a career in surveying feel free to get in touch. Happy to help where I can.

If you’d like to read more about the planned happenstance theory a good starting point is here.

Further reading:

Planned Happenstance: Constructing Unexpected Career Opportunities by Kathleen E. Mitchell, Al S. Levin, and John D. Krumboltz.