One way to engage in career exploration and gain expertise in a specific field is through a college education. Some studies have sought to discuss the external factors that play a role in a student's career decision making prior to and after entering college, but none of these studies discuss the role a social movement plays in a college student's career development. This qualitative research study explored the tension between traditional college student career development and the effects of engagement in a social movement related to climate change (i.e., the climate movement). Using the Chaos Theory of Careers (Pryor & Bright, 2003) and the Value-Belief-Norm Theory of Support for Social Movements (Stern, 1999), this research found that when looking back on chance encounters prior to college, students generate a deeper meaning and commitment to a specific social movement and any career that aligns with its values. Similarly, students who experience encouragement, support, and skill development during these encounters are more likely to build resiliency that aids them most when faced with adversity from their peers, faculty, and community when pursuing a particular career. Implications from these findings indicate a need for recalibration of college student career development approaches. Current linear and archaic methods are no longer suitable for the conditions that today's college students face when entering the chaotic and unpredictable world of work on this planet. Reinvigorating the importance of conversations that discuss former chance encounters, values, passions, and meaning are now necessary to prepare today's college students for the tumultuous situations they will likely encounter in their future. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]