Christopher Calhoun

Dr. Robinson
CNS 220
11/4/15
Career Genogram Summary
From this project I have learned much about not only about the generation details about
my family but also the depicted values, reoccurring tendencies, and similar traits between every
male on both sides. The Career Genogram was very impactful for me especially because it was
first time creating one and also because I had not ever contemplated on the career choices my
family chose. I was amazed on how each of my family members job reflected their personality
and the influence it serves to me.
An important factor I discovered from the results of the genogram, was the effect of the
setting and how everyone differed from job options due to the time and place they grew up in.
Although I did not record the place nor age of each of my family members, I used my basic
understanding knowledge of their origin to illustrate this idea. For example, my grandfather is a
man who has lived during the 60s, 70s, 80, and up until current day. As shown in the genogram,
his job reflects the necessary employment during his era and the region where he lived. For my
grandfather this was the railroad company due to the fact that he lived in Columbus, Ga around a
time where railroad companies were very relevant. I believe the railroads were very useful
during this time because of the exportation of good for the Vietnam War, in which he also served
in.

There were many other family members who pertain to this idea of their setting
influencing their choice in career, but I felt my grandfather was the most direct. My
grandfathers situation closely related to my fathers, but my father differed as it was a specific
event that effected his choice. My father attended college at the University of Alabama and
played football there just as every male in my family. I consider this as one of my fathers first
job, because of the tedious duties that relay on a student athlete. My father is from Alabama and
loves football, so he got the chance to pursue his dream that he hoped for since he was young. As
a joke my father told me he and friends would kid around saying they would Major in football.
Sadly my father lost this opportunity during his freshman year as he didnt meet the academic
requirements and was kicked out of school. My dad has always been hard worker and once he
flunked out he still used his skills and values to contribute toward his job. He later obtain a job
that involved a lot of hard work and consume many hours of the day much like football. His
work revolved around anywhere from small construction and transporting the materials for John
Weiland Homes co. A job that he currently is still engaged in and reveals that values are
important to consider when choosing a career.
I noticed in every career each of my family member pursued, it reflected their
personalities. To my family I saw it did not matter the position, the salary, or job title but only
that they enjoyed it. I concurred this when I realized that my family has not switched their career
since I could remember. The same job that I recall my parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents
have remained the same unless they have upgraded into a higher position. I believe this could be
maybe a pattern or something passed from one generation to the next but I think that it will not
continue after my parents. I say this because it has been evident within my oldest brother as he
traveled from job to job, not really sure what he truly desires. I find myself close to his

predicament as I have not even found my major. I dont plan to jump from career to career but I
do hope to find the right one for me. I have learned from class that there is abundance of
opportunities even when Im not sure if its style, I must take chances.
I plan to continue educating myself on the possible careers that maybe I would prefer and
also using my family as a guidance to lead me towards my career goal. I hope to use my flexible
career pursuance as a tool for job searching and maybe internships. I have the epiphany to give
credit to family because they already given me start to attaining my dream job.