Article
Construction and Initial Validation of the Career Maximizing Scale
Nathaniel M. Voss,
Christopher J. Lake,
Cassandra Chlevin-Thiele,
Corresponding Author
Nathaniel M. Voss
Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Nathaniel M. Voss, Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, 562 Bluemont Hall, 1114 Mid-Campus Drive North, Manhattan, KS 66506 (email: nmvoss@ksu.edu).Search for more papers by this authorChristopher J. Lake
Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University.
Search for more papers by this authorCassandra Chlevin-Thiele
Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University.
Search for more papers by this authorNathaniel M. Voss,
Christopher J. Lake,
Cassandra Chlevin-Thiele,
Corresponding Author
Nathaniel M. Voss
Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Nathaniel M. Voss, Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, 562 Bluemont Hall, 1114 Mid-Campus Drive North, Manhattan, KS 66506 (email: nmvoss@ksu.edu).Search for more papers by this authorChristopher J. Lake
Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University.
Search for more papers by this authorCassandra Chlevin-Thiele
Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University.
Search for more papers by this authorThe authors thank Taylor Hofeling and Morgan Griffis for their help with creating items for the Career Maximizing Scale and putting together the surveys.
Abstract
Applying the concept of maximizing—careful evaluation of options in pursuit of optimal goals—to career decisions, the authors developed the Career Maximizing Scale (CMS). The measure was administered to samples of working adults and university students across 3 studies. Factor analysis indicated that the measure is unidimensional and has favorable psychometric properties. Career maximizing was related to but distinct from general maximizing. Career maximizing was positively related to indicators of decision confidence (e.g., career decision-making self-efficacy) and positively related to desirable career outcomes (e.g., career satisfaction). Career maximizing was also modestly related to certain desirable academic outcomes (e.g., commitment to university major). Use of the CMS may facilitate effective career counseling.
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