Running head: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 1. A Counselor s Guide:

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1 Running head: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 1 A Counselor s Guide: The Importance of Understanding Career Development across the Lifespan: Latara S. Salisbury Liberty University

2 THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 2 Abstract Methods in which an individual uses to acquire employment or advance in a job, defines career development. Career development includes assessing one s educational background, skill sets acquired, self-actualization of personal fulfillment and recognitions gained over a long period of time, affecting one throughout the lifespan until death. Theories of career development help counselors better understand how the client has become to approach the world of work and help in developing and implementing strategies to assist clients in their career search. Guidelines for working with diverse clients are addressed. Assessment instruments vary and are used to determine one s career needs and interests. A biblical perspective is also applied. Keywords: career, career awareness, career counseling, career guidance, career path, jobs, leisure, occupation and work

3 Running head: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 3 A Counselor s Guide: The Importance of Understanding Career Development across the Lifespan: Why career development and career counseling? Career counseling has a long history within the field of professional counseling. The counseling profession, in general, was founded on the basis of vocational guidance. Frank Parsons was the first person who had developed a systematic approach to vocational guidance in the 1900s. The three-step process that he suggested included knowing oneself, knowing job characteristics, and making a match between the two through true reasoning (Neukrug, 2007). Today, career guidance and career counseling are important components of what all counselors do. Career development is not just the process of finding a job, but it is a lifespan development that is expressed through the jobs, occupations, leisure activities and most importantly, how we experience ourselves in all of our lives. Career development is ongoing, ever transforming process that includes exploration process as a young child to reflection on various life roles as an elderly person. Most individuals express and identify themselves through their career thus adequate career planning and career counseling can help us feel better about our lives. Having a job or a career overall, gives individuals self-respect, dignity, and self-worth. The sense of responsibility and making sure that one is taking care of themselves it what truly creates a solid foundation that can build on to have a successful future. If one finds that they are struggling with the career development process, they should be encouraged to seek career counseling services that will help them assess their abilities and skills enough to choose a definite career path. Career counseling helps to raise a person s awareness about the choices made in life as well as effectively apply assessment instruments to help alleviate the stressors of finding a career that best fits one s needs, interests, and talents.

4 THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 4 In general, the world of work is rapidly changing. As a result, we see individuals seeking counseling due to personal and social stressors in addition to a desire to see career counseling in times of life transition. Therefore, it is pertinent that career counseling is a specific area of interest in the counseling realm-- to better address particular needs of clients who may be undergoing the complex but necessary process of career development. The purpose of this paper is to exemplify the significance of integrating career counseling regardless of the work setting. Additionally, the counselor must consider all facets of an individual s life including their current and vocational status. Definitions Related to Career Counseling Career development is essentially the foundation to success in life. It is about choice and decision making and when assistance is needed, career counseling becomes crucial to implementing the process effectively. Common terminology associated with career development and career counseling include career, career awareness, career development, career counseling, career guidance, career path, jobs, leisure, occupation and work. Being that these terms can be defined in numerous ways, depending on an individual s perception, the definitions are derived from Neukrug (2007) whom defines these terms in great detail with support of other authors. Career: the totality of work and life roles through which an individual expresses him- or herself. May include work, leisure, and avocational activities Career awareness: one s consciousness about career-related decisions, which can be facilitated through a self-examination of one s values, abilities, preferences, knowledge of occupations, and life roles, and interests Career development: all of the psychological, sociological, educational, physical, economic, and other factors that are at play in shaping one s career over the life span. Career counseling: individual or group counseling with a focus on increasing career awareness and fostering decision making relative to career goals Career guidance: a program, designed by counselors that offers information concerning career development and facilitates career awareness for individuals Career path: the sequence of positions and/or jobs that typically signifies potential advancement

5 Running head: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 5 Jobs: positions within a specific work environment (e.g., school, agency, business) that are similar in nature Leisure: time taken from required effort (e.g., job or occupation) in order to pursue selfchosen activities that express one s abilities and/or interests Occupation: jobs of a similar nature that can be found within several work environments and connote the kinds of work a person is pursing Understanding these definitions provide additional support to the purpose of career counseling as well as clarify misconceptions about the career development process. Depending on sources, these terms can be used interchangeably. Theories of Career Development There are many theories of career development that are designed to help counselors better understand how the client has come to approach the world of work and in developing and implementing strategies to assist clients in their career search. Integrating career development theory and practice into ones treatment protocols offers to the professional counselor an additional lens to view a client s struggle. Neukrug (2007) provides insight into the major theories including John Holland s personality theory of occupational choice, Ann Roe s psychodynamic theory, Super s lifespan development theory, Social Cognitive Career Theory, and Constructive Development Approaches. Having knowledge of a number of theories and approaches when working with clients, better prepares clients in working with determining the needs of clients and being able to effectively meet them. Overall, theories aid in constructing a solid knowledge base in theory and when having a holistic approach counselors can better construct a meaningful framework for working with clients especially when integrated into a counselor s personal style and clients unique needs and situation. Before using a theory, a series of questions should be asked to ensure the theory meets the client s needs based on how well the theory describes the career development process for

6 THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 6 diverse populations, the process in general, identify the factors involved in career choice, inform practice, provide documentation for empirical support, and cover all aspects of career development. Once these questions are answered and theory can be applied to a client, testing and assessment instruments should be applied to help the client gain valuable insight of their own interests, abilities and values and how they create opportunities to potential careers. Career Assessment Testing Technological advancements have created numerous benefits to career counseling including more effective, accurate, and quick results as well as access to occupational information. Tests and assessment measures good methods of helping a client discover their strengths and weaknesses as well as decide what career best fits their personality- skills, interests, abilities, and work values. Assessment activities should include observations, interviews, record reviews, and performance activities. Neukrug (2007) identify the following specific assessment instruments: Interest Inventories, Assessment of Aptitude tests, and Personality Assessments. Interest Inventories are designed to assist clients in their career exploration process involving school subjects, type of people, type of occupations, amusements and personal characteristics. Common interest inventories include The Self-Directed Search, the Strong Interest Inventory, and the Career Decision-Making System (CDM). Assessment of Aptitude tests examine whether or not a person s chosen occupational preferences match one s abilities. Popular aptitude tests include the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) and the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Personality Assessments are used with clients seeking career counseling because they help a client focus on basic personality dimensions and assess whether or not one s personality characteristics relate to a certain job.

7 Running head: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 7 Guidelines for Working with Diverse Clients Career counseling affects all cultures; therefore, counselors should be able to recognize when a client exhibits differences, especially with individuals who do not have a Western-based mentality when it comes to the world of work. Most importantly, there are particular guidelines to which career counselors should keep in mind when working with multicultural clients; this includes clients who are also resistant. Overall, the counselor may have to assist clients in how to understand and better respond to a supervisor and colleague and also frequent changes that occur in a workplace environment that may be different than what they expect in their cultural experiences. Arthur and McMahon (2005) discuss a systems theory framework in regards to understanding and aiding multicultural clients: The influence of one system or subsystem on another is illustrative of the STF's dynamic nature (McMahon, 2002; McMahon & Patton, 1995; Patton & McMahon, 1997, 1999). Although the systems previously described (i.e., the individual system, the social system, and the environmental/societal system) account for the content influences of the STF, the dynamic interaction that occurs within and between systems is accounted for by the process influences of recursiveness, change over time, and chance. In other words, when working with clients of diverse background, all factors in a person s environment should be considered. Neukrug (2007) provides counselors with eight steps that can greatly assist counselors in working with diverse clients on career issues: (1) Establish rapport/culturally appropriate relationship; (2) Gather information relative to career issues, (3) Assess impact of cultural, gender, and self-efficacy variables; (4) Administer culturally appropriate assessment tools; (5) Set counseling goals; (6) Make culturally appropriate counseling interventions; (7) Assist client in decision-making; and (8) Implement and follow up.

8 THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 8 Personal Reflection I chose this topic because as a future school counselor, one of the things that has me truly motivated to specifically work with high school students is this idea of career development and ensuring that they are prepared for the real world. The way we in which we choose a career is based on a number of factors including the messages we receive from parents, the community we live in, religious affiliation, and society as a whole. By the time a person enters adolescence; most people have a sense of their interests and their proficiency levels. Some even have an idea about what they would like to do as a career for those who do not, more guidance is needed. Throughout high school, I wish that I had a stronger support system from my parents and especially my high school counselor. Viadero (2010), McMahon and Watson (2005) provide evidence that students really want to know more about their options after high school, which inevitably requires an active school counselor. This is a another reason as to why I chose this topic and really emphasize its importance because I want to be opposite of my high school counselor and assist students in reaching their full potential, optimizing career choices, provide encouragement as well as be realistic when working with all students regardless of socioeconomic status or race. Being a part of the Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) from middle through undergraduate school, outreach and student services programs that are designed to identify and provide services for individuals with disadvantaged backgrounds specifically meeting criteria of low-income, first-generations, and disabilities, I have learned about what it means to have resources to turn to when in great need and I think these programs should be presented to more and more students. In general, all counselors should have a host of resources and support programs in order to better serve clients.

9 Running head: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 9 My interest was also peaked about this topic of career counseling across the lifespan because today, high schools are pressured to attend college more than learning a trade, or just seeking employment after high school. My three years of experience as a Resident Assistant for first-year students really opened my eyes to the idea that it is not realistic for every child to go to college for some are not ready for the experience. As a society, we lack in preparing high school students for the real world as they do not have basic essential soft skills that will help them in whatever path they choose. Beyond that, we do not emphasize enough to students the importance of really choosing a path that they will enjoy and be able to positively reflect on into retirement. After all, career development is lifespan development. It is how we express ourselves in all of our life roles and what God has called us to do so we must work hard to find the things that we enjoy as well as good at. Biblical Insights and Conclusion The Bible is a powerful tool for whatever topic we may need guidance on, including the career development process. The messages God provides us with are enriching and challenging. For example, Samuel 2:11 (New King James Version Life Application Study Bible) emphasizes that being proud of the roles and responsibilities that one has in a job, because ultimately, especially when serving others we are also serving God despite the tasks being carried out. Designated for those especially in a helping field, such as counseling, Nehemiah 3:1(New King James Version), and 1Corinthians 12:12-27(New King James Version Life Application Study Bible) stress helping people see the importance of their job. When God calls us to do a job, we should be ready to do it regardless of the task and its comparison to other responsibilities (1 Corinthians 1:1(2)) (New King James Version Life Application Study Bible). One of the most powerful verses, Philippians 1:6 shows God s work in and for us. This verse is highly related

10 THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 10 to this topic of career development because it highlights the idea that even at times when do not feel as though we are making process in our spiritual life, when we feel discouraged, incomplete, unfinished, or distressed about our shortcomings, we must remember that God does not start something without completing it. While our job in this case is to work to stay close with him, this verse can also be viewed as not giving up even when faced with the task of career development because God has an ultimate plan for us, and that includes a career that we can do in his honor. What do you do? is the question that is often asked when two people are getting to know each other. After all, in the American culture, what we do defines a person so it is imperative that the choices we make for a career path are taken seriously for they affect us for the rest of our lives. While the career development journey may at times very difficult and unpredictable, career counselors should be supportive, resourceful, but also realistic when helping clients resolve the dilemmas they face in any stage of the process. Theories and assessment techniques should be applied to yield better results for the clients. Moreover, the message obtained from this paper is how vital career counseling is essential to the counseling field and especially the fact that it should be a part of all counseling, not just career.

11 Running head: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 11 References Amudson, N.E., Borgen, W.A., Iaquinta, M., Butterfield, L.D., & Koert, E. (2010). Career decisions from the decider s perspective. Career Development Quarterly, 58, Arthur, N. & McMahon, M. (2005). Multicultural career counseling: Theoretical applications of the systems theory framework. (The systems theory framework). The Career Development Quarterly, 53(3), Bluestein, D. L., Kenna, A.C., Gill, N., & Devoy, J.E. (2008). The psychology of working: A new framework for counseling practice and public policy. The Career Development Quarterly, 56, Duffy, R.D., Raque-Bogdan, T.L., (2010). The motivation to serve others: Exploring relations to career development. Journal of Career Assessment, 18(3), Hunter, I., Dik, B.J., & Banning, J. H. (2010). College students perceptions of calling in work and life: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 76(2), McMahon, M., & Watson, M. (2005). Occupational information: What children want to know. Journal of Career Development, 3(14), Neukrug, E. (2007). Career development: The counselor and the world of work. (3rd ed.). The world of the counselor: An introduction to the counseling profession. (pp ). Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole. Patton, W., & McIveen, P. (2009). Practice and research in career counseling and development The Career Development Quarterly, 58, Skorikov, V. (2007). Continuity in adolescent career preparation and its effects on adjustment. Journal of Vocational Behavior 70, 8-24.

12 THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT 12 M. (2010). Career development in the context of self-construction during adolescence. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 76(3), ). Viadero, P. (2010). Guidance counseling: Can I get a little advice here?; Education Week, 29(24) Walker, T., Pearson, F., & Murrell, P. (2010). Quality of effort and career preparation differences between african americans and white community of college students. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 34(9),

Specific Issues in Career Counselling Theories 1

Specific Issues in Career Counselling Theories 1 Specific Issues in Career Counselling Theories [NAME] INSERT INSTRUCTOR S NAME HERE INSERT COURSE NAME HERE [DATE] Specific Issues in Career Counselling