Chapter 2/ Gibson

Chapter 2 did a great job comparing the theories used in career counseling. The one that stuck out the most for me was Gottfredson’s Theory of Circumscription and Compromise. I liked this theory because it focuses more on the self and social identity rather than values or other variables as in Holland’s trait and factor theory. What I really like about this theory was that it wanted to get away from occupations based on gender roles. It would be okay for a man to be a nurse or a woman to be a construction worker. Just like we mentioned in class last week, no one is really advocating these jobs that are outside of the typical gender role. I think that if career exploration started more in elementary school showing the vast amount of jobs that are available without a gender role tied to it, people would have a different outlook on career choices later down the line.

                One problem I found with Holland’s theory was that I could not figure out which type fit me best. I thought there were a few traits that fit me, but I could not just pinpoint one. I would be interested to see what I would score on one of Holland’s tests. One critique on Holland’s theory pointed out that as a counselor, one must not assume that a client’s interests will make an appropriate career for them ( Gregoire & Jungers 2007). I can see how that mistake can be easily made.

                Gibson’s article on the use of genograms brought out some great points. I never thought of how useful a genogram could be for elementary students. I look at my family occupations and none of them are relative to my career choice now, but I can see at a younger age how one prefers to do what those in their family do. Cultural values and preferences definitely play a role when choosing an occupation. Where I grew up, if you didn’t go to college, you stayed and worked for you family’s business. Many people had no other aspirations but to carry on the family business. I wonder had there been more career counseling would their decisions to carry on the family business change or stay the same?

 

 

Gregoire, J. & Junger, C. (2007). The Counselor's Companion: What Every Beginning Counselor Needs to Know. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc.