Looking at our other self through career paths not taken
With every conscious choice individuals make in their lives, there is always the question ‘what if?’ That is, the alternative choice that was not taken and the wonder of how life could be different if it had been. Without a parallel universe, we will always be left to wonder about the other scenario. Career choices are at the top of the list when it comes to how our lives are defined since they dictate how we spend most of our waking hours and with whom we interact. In short, they form who we are and represent as professionals. In this context, our alternative self constitutes the person that we might have been had we selected a different career path. Consequently, the API project focused on a heightened understanding of alternative selves and how this in turn can help people make improved career choices and enhance the balance between personal and professional aspects of their life. Research objectives were two fold. On the one hand were both inductive and deductive examinations of data. These were based on interviews and surveys in order to arrive at how alternative selves operate as points of comparison for the current self. In such a way, the current self can be viewed as better or worse than the alternative self. Determining this can be beneficial in terms of making necessary changes. The other research objective, also inductive as well as deductive in method, was specifically concerned with maintaining a work-life balance. Analysis of the data is in progress and a paper has been accepted for publication, reaching the broader scientific community. Insights can be gained for social scientists, educators, career counsellors and policymakers. Above all, everyone can question ‘what if?’ and bring to light the possibility of a more fulfilled life.