Career Counseling: Response to the Global Pandemic by Lauren Ewart

Population: Adolescents

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 19:54:33 UTC

Including high school and college students

Career counseling pre-pandemic, post-pandemic, and how the profession should respond

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 19:56:24 UTC

Pre-pandemic -> planning academic and professional paths, exploring strengths, and conducting assessments
Post-pandemic -> shift to remote work and greater need for advanced technology skills
Career counselors should embrace virtual platforms for assessments and workshops, encourage increased education surrounding technological skills and be prepared to address an adolescent's mental health challenges post-pandemic as they enter the workforce

New career challenges for adolescents AND how can career counselors assist their clients and leverage their strengths?

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 19:56:57 UTC

Career Challenges for Adolescents and Leveraging Strengths:

-Adolescents face many new career challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic such as decreased well-being and mental health, higher levels of burnout, higher levels of uncertainty about future goals, higher levels of unemployment amongst this population, increased anxiety related to career aspirations, and influence of family members.

-These new challenges lead to potential job dissatisfaction and sudden changes in career aspirations.

-In terms of leveraging strengths, career counselors can utilize assessment tools that help clients discover their strengths such as the Clifton StrengthsFinder and the INSIGHT Inventory.

-These tools help clients to become more aware of their strengths, how to apply these strengths in their careers, and how to choose a job that brings out the best in them.

Adolescent social justice and multicultural issues

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 19:57:26 UTC

Marginalized youth faced disproportionate challenges, particularly due to limited access to essential technology resources.
The digital divide exacerbated existing inequalities, with adolescents from more affluent backgrounds or privileged racial demographics often having greater access to vital career guidance and support networks.
Conversely, adolescents from marginalized communities encountered barriers compounded by limited access to educational resources and familial responsibilities.
This imbalance widened educational disparities, diminished motivation, and fostered uncertainty regarding future career trajectories.
The resulting uncertainty led to negative consequences such as diminished academic performance, socioeconomic setbacks, and a vague understanding of the professional landscape.
Career counselors found themselves advocating for transformative change to address the plight of marginalized students.
Proposed solutions included emphasizing the cultivation of essential social and career-related competencies to empower adolescents to navigate the job market.
Leveraging intersectionality theory emerged as a crucial strategy for crafting nuanced interventions that address the multifaceted identities and experiences of marginalized youth.
Prioritizing equitable access to career counseling became imperative, requiring efforts to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure all students have equitable access to guidance and support.
By prioritizing accessibility and equity, counselors can contribute to fostering a more inclusive and empowering educational environment, enabling every adolescent to confidently pursue a fulfilling and prosperous career path.

Ethical issues for adolescents AND Tips for current career counselors

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 19:57:39 UTC

Ethical Issues

• The ethical obligation for autonomy of clients poses ethical challenges because adolescents are less developmentally advanced and are generally less capable to act autonomously.

• Issues of violation of boundaries because of lack of understanding and experience of adolescents related to client and counselor relationship.

• Power differentials between the client and counselor.

• The assumption in career counseling that opportunities are equally available to everyone disregards the barriers of oppression and discrimination.

Tips for Career Counselors

• Help adolescents turn life themes into career goals

• Offer emotional support: empathy and validation

• Create room for adolescents to engage in self-exploration

• Understand the labor market trends which will be reflected in your clientele or their issues

• Master Resume writing and learn about creative assessments; they can be a valuable tool for tapping into intuition.

• Self-care if vital

• Embrace self-development and collaboration with colleagues and supervisors.

• Use self-disclosure judiciously; make sure it will really help the client.

Personal Reflection (Emily)

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:02:57 UTC

This process opened my eyes to the many complexities faced by high school and college students after the COVID-19 Pandemic. Similarly, I also learned about the various skills that career counselors utilize when working with this population. Most importantly, I gained an increased awareness about the influence of contextual factors on adolescents aspirations and career goals. Family, socioeconomic status, race, gender, the pandemic, and previous employment are just a few of the many factors that may impact career decisions. In addition, I learned about the importance of adopting a strength-based lens when working with these types of clients because it increases insight, motivation, and empowerment. There are many assessment tools that can be utilized when assisting a client in their discovery of their strengths. Overall, this project taught me the necessity and importance of career counseling and the impact of the pandemic of the COVID-19 Pandemic on both adolescents and this particular field of counseling.

Personal Reflection (Niki)

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:03:06 UTC

Throughout this project, I learned that access to career counseling for adolescents in marginalized groups, especially those effected by COVID, is very limited. Career counseling is also heavily stigmatized for many of them, as they view it as a form of counseling. Rather than a way of benefiting their future. While working on this project, I also noticed that career counseling needs to be more accessible and less stigmatized for these groups to have the career that they want.

Personal Reflection (Lauren)

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:03:16 UTC

This assignment provided deeper insight into how the pandemic impacted adolescent populations as they entered the workforce. This population faced unique challenges and the impact of the pandemic will continue to create adjustments throughout their careers. In thinking deeper about career counseling to this population post-pandemic, there are still many challenges counselors face, including learning and understanding the digital skills themselves. I think it will be interesting to see the continued shift in the job market, particularly with more advanced forms of technology in the workplace, such as AI.

Personal Reflection (Shirley)

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:03:25 UTC

Through this project and readings I learnt that high school students often encounter myriad challenges in making pivotal decision about their careers, understanding that it holds the power to shape their entire future trajectory. The pandemic has now increased those challenges and has increased the level of competition among adolescents. Due to the negative effects of pandemic on adolescents it is imperative for career counselors to possess a robust skill set, continuously refine their expertise, and remain deeply engaged in self-development as they offer counseling services for the adolescents. Most importantly, counselors need to offer emotional support to adolescents who are often confused regarding their career choices and face pressures from people in their surrounding. Moreover, I learnt that this profession demands a unique blend of therapeutic acumen and comprehensive knowledge of the ever-evolving job market landscape. Career counselors need to be aware of the business trends and occupational challenges. Hence, by equipping themselves with these multifaceted skills, counselors can effectively guide and empower adolescents in making informed decisions that align with their passions, talents, and aspirations, ultimately setting them on the path to fulfilling and successful careers.

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:03:41 UTC

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:03:47 UTC

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:03:55 UTC

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:04:00 UTC

External Video

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:04:13 UTC

Defining "career"

External video

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:04:21 UTC

College and career counseling in a high school setting

Resource 1

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-06 20:04:50 UTC

Link to a website that lists various resources that career counselors can provide to their clients.

Resource 4

2024-05-08 03:40:33 UTC

A book by Howard Figler and Richard Nelson Bolles for career counselors is comprised of helpful tips and skills that counselors can utilize in their practice.

Resource 2

2024-05-08 03:40:51 UTC

Link to a website which lists various types of worksheets that could be utilized by career counselors.

Resource 3

2024-05-08 03:41:06 UTC

A career workbook which is useful for high school students seeking newer career opportunities

Resource 5

2024-05-08 03:41:16 UTC

Ways to find networking opportunities for people to go to.

References

sgonsalves11 — 2024-05-08 21:46:05 UTC

Anderson, D. D., & Shore, W. J. (2008). Ethical issues and concerns associated With mentoring undergraduate students. Ethics & Behavior, 18(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508420701519577

Carey, R. L., Bailey, M. J., & Polanco, C. I. (2023). How the COVID-19 pandemic shaped adolescents’ future orientations: Insights from a global scoping review. Current Opinion in Psychology, 53, 101655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101655

Greenleaf, A. T. (2014). Making the Best of a Bad Situation: Career Counseling Young Adults in the Aftermath of the Great Recession. Journal of Employment Counseling, 51(4), 158–169. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1920.2014.00049.x

Gysbers, N. C., Heppner, M. J., & Johnston, J. A. (2014). Career counseling : holism, diversity, and strengths (Fourth edition.). American Counseling Association.

30 tips for new career counselors. (n.d.). Ncda.org. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/5417/_self/layout_details/false

Wright, G. G., & Chan, C. D. (2022). Applications of Intersectionality Theory to Enhance Career Development Interventions in Response to COVID-19. Professional school counseling, 26(1b), 2156759X221106807.

https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X221106807

Walden University. (1 C.E., January 1). Top five techniques of career counselors. Walden University. https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/ms-in-clinical-mental-health-counseling/resource/top-five-techniques-of-career-counselors

Yanez-flores, S. M., Salinas-Aguirre, M. D. C., Charles-meza, Á. G., & Gonzalez-Martinez, K. (2022). The working conditions of university students in post-pandemic situations. Journal University Management, 6(15), 14-24.

Resource 6

2024-05-09 18:17:16 UTC

Website that talks about various jobs. Talks about pay and what certain careers might entail.

laurenjewart99 — 2024-05-11 21:23:59 UTC