Blog 7- Chapter 8

I really like the tenant behind narrative therapy after we discussed it further in class especially since it focuses on the world view of the individual. I also like how this therapeutic model uses the experiences of the client to guide him/her to a solution. However, I do not like all of the interpretation that needs to be utilized by the counselor to help determine life themes. Even though clinicians should see situations from their client’s perspective, a bit of objectivity needs to be maintained by the counselor in order to fully explore solutions/alternatives.  I also think that during the interpretation of the life themes, since there is so much subjectivity, clinicians can wrongly insert their interpretations leading to long term negative outcomes. I keep thinking about the mock interview using Savickas’ narrative interview questions. I do not see how some of the questions can lead to helping individuals clarify their values, worldviews, and career goals. For example, the question that entailed identifying magazines that are read, earliest memories, and favorite sayings. These questions, although interesting and creative, could have nothing to do with an individual’s career path or reflect the major influences in one’s overall personal development.

I was actually more confused during the lecture part of class when we discussed Krumboltz’s Social Learning Theory especially since Social Cognitive and Social Learning Theory were grouped together. When looking at each theory individually, Social Cognitive seems to expand on Krumboltz’s Learning Theory and specifically focuses on the cognitive components of career development. In class, grouping them together made it appear as if they were one in the same theory and that certain components of Social Cognitive Theory were also apart of Social Learning Theory, i.e. self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Social Learning Theory focuses on task approach skills, environment, and learning whereas Social Cognitive emphasizes self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and goals (Brown, 2012, pp. 60-63).

I understand the importance of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the once published Dictionary of Occupational Titles, and O*NET. I just wonder how many individuals actually use these resources and find it helpful. Just reading about these informational tools confused me, so I cannot imagine others independently using these tools to educate or help guide their career development. It almost seems like one has to go to graduate school just to figure out how to use and capitalize on the information in these guides. I think O*NET is a can be a great way to disseminate information to large groups of individuals. One disadvantage of O*NET is that it contains so much information, i.e. the 6 domains of information, that navigating through this system would almost require direction and assistance from a career counselor (Brown, 2012, pp. 181-182).

 

Brown, D. (2012). Learning Theory-Based, Postmodern, Socioeconomic, and Decision-Making Theories and Their Applications. In Career Information, Career Counseling, and Career Development (10th ed., pp. 59-79). New York: Pearson Education, Inc. 

Brown, D. (2012). Using Information to Facilitate Career Development. In Career Information, Career Counseling, and Career Development (10th ed., pp. 178-191). New York: Pearson Education, Inc.