Multicultural Perspectives in Career CounselingFacilitating the Career Development of Diverse Populations

Justina Farleyjfarley7@utk.eduUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville

Outline

•How culture influences career development

•How to incorporate multicultural conversations and interventions into career counseling

Defining the Language

•Within the individual, how they choose to identify, and how they perceive the impact of their culture

•Race/ethnicity, sexual orientation/identity, disability, gender, socioeconomic status…

Culture and Career

•Traditional career counseling formulated within a masculine and Western European framework for able-bodied man

•Need for career models within a cultural framework

•Interaction between counselors’ and clients’ experiences and worldviews

Awareness

•Self ▫Cultural being▫Biases

•Others▫The relationship between cultural

experiences, mental health, and decision-making

The Alliance

•The working alliance accounts for between 30-50% of variance in outcome variables▫Rapport▫Understanding Ct’s expectations▫Setting goals congruent with Ct’s needs

•Be curious!

Constructivism

•Multiple worldviews•Help make meaning of experiences•Narrative, action, construction,

interpretation•Activities

▫Family Genogram▫Timeline▫Life Roles Circles

Racial/Ethnic Minorities

•Potential issues▫Career stereotypes▫Over-and-underrepresented careers▫Interviewing, hiring, negotiating process

•How to help▫Access to mentors▫Specific employment opportunities▫Exploring and sharing race/ethnicity

Women

•Potential issues▫Work/family balance▫Over-and-underrepresented careers

•How to help▫Empowerment▫Role reversal▫Access to mentors▫“Family friendly” policies; resources

LGBTQ

•Potential issues▫Discrimination▫Exclusion/isolation▫Gender-stereotyped careers

•How to help▫Information on disclosure ▫Access to mentors▫Domestic partner benefits

Students with Disabilities

•Potential issues▫Accommodations▫Limitations, actual and perceived

•How to help▫Make no assumptions▫Disclosure▫Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)▫Empowerment and self-advocacy

International Students

•Potential issues▫Language barriers▫Cultural differences

•How to help▫Preparation for ‘American-style’ interview▫Exploration of personal and family values▫Sponsorship

Veterans

•Potential issues▫Work/life demands▫Geographic limitations▫Transition to civilian work▫Age discrimination

•How to help▫Access to mentors▫Provide structure and goals▫Work/educational history on resume

Overview

•Self-awareness•Knowledge is a life-long process•Skills and interventions

Questions/Comments?