Chapter 9 Culturally Appropriate Career Counseling

Assumptions n Career counseling must take place within a cultural context n Variables to consider in career counseling across cultures may differ in weight n Models don't adequately explain career behavior of minorities n Perspective of cultural diversity/pluralism

Career Counseling Goal n Have all clients make culturally appropriate career choices n NOT: make the same choices

Culturally responsive Counseling : n Effective career counseling incorporates the impact of family, gender and culture n Allows clients to explore what role they want work to play in their lives, balance between work and family, messages to accept or discard n Incorporates multiple cultures

Environmental Influences n Parental/Familial influences n Political system n Racism/Sexism n Acculturation n Cultural values

Cultural Variables n Worldview n Racial/Ethnic Identity Development n Acculturation n Aspirations/expectations

Worldview n Frame of reference through which one experiences life n African worldview: focus on group, its survival, and on harmony with nature (Nobles, 1976) n European worldview: focus on individual, survival of the fittest, control of nature

Racial/Ethnic Identity Development n stage model : progresses through pro-White, anti-minority to pro- minority-anti-White, to appreciative of all groups with recognition of diversity n typology models: grouping individuals based on resolution of racial issues

Locus of Control/Responsibility n European perspective: internal locus of control and responsibility n African perspective: internal locus of responsibility and external locus of control

Career Intervention Models zLeong and Hartung zLeung zFouad and Bingham

Leong and Hartung (1997) zRecognition of vocational problems zHelp seeking and use of career services zEvaluation of career problems zImplement career interventions zOutcome of intervention

Leung (1995) zFocuses on career interventions zSystemic level zGroup level zOne-to-one level zIncorporates educational outcomes

Establish rapport/ Culturally appropriate relationship Identification of career issues: -cognitive -social emotional -environmental -behavioral -external barriers Assess impact of cultural variables on career issues Setting culturally appropriate counseling process and counseling goals Culturally appropriate intervention: -cognitive -social emotional -environmental -behavioral -external barriers Decision-making: career choice role integration adjustment information seeking Implementation of career plans and follow up Re-clarify issues Preparation for counseling: Culturally Competent Counselor and Client with concerns. Enter counseling Exit counseling in Fouad, N.A. & Bingham, R. ( in press) Career counseling with racial/ethnic minorities In W.B. Walsh & S.H. Osipow (Eds). Handbook of Vocational Psychology, 2nd ed. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum Fouad and Bingham-CACCM

Preparation for Counseling : n Cultural sensitivity: openness and enjoyment of clients' cultural experiences n knowledgeable about cultural groups n knowledge of cultural strengths n openness to clients as cultural teachers

Preparation (cont.) n Knowledge of own worldview n Knowledge of own racial identity n become comfortable with clients of diverse backgrounds

Step 1- Establish Relationship n Listen to and observe client's comments n Respond to client's main words and construct (using basic attending skills) n Check out statements with client n Set context for working consensus

Step 2: Identification of Career Issues n Cognitive Issues n Social/Emotional Issues n Behavioral Issues n External Issues--working conditions n External Barriers: Discrimination, Oppression, racism/sexism

Step 3: Assess Impact of Cultural Variables n How do cultural variables influence career decisions?

Step 4: Setting appropriate goals Appropriate Process- Appropriate Goals

Step 5: Appropriate Interventions n Group interventions n involve the family n role models n native language usage n ethnicity/gender similarity n community resources n appropriate assessment

Step 6: Decision- making n Career Choices n Adjustment n Clarification

Step 7: Implementation and Follow-up n Support mechanisms n Follow-up