Past research has found that characteristics associated with giftedness make career decisions dificult for gifted youth. This study investigated the difficulties experienced by gifted youth and the factors they consider as they make career decisions. Interviews were conducted with 30 gifted adolescents a t three strategic decision-making points. A content analysis of the interview transcripts found 20 factors that gifted adolescents identified as important to their career decisions. These factors clustered into fivc groups: ( a ) sensitivity to others' expectations, ( b ) perfectionism, (c) developmental issues, (d ) superior intelligence, and (el multipotentiality. Sensitivity to others' expectations and perfectionism were the factors considered most frequently. Implications of the findings include preventive work with parents and teachers of gifted youth, use of career role models and exploratory work experiences, and research into the actual expectations held for gifted youth by the adults who influence them.

This article describes the use of a narrative technique, StoryTech, in a career counseling class. Student evaluations, comments, and recommendations for the use of StoryTech in a career counseling class are included. Judith D. Emmett is an associate professor in the Counseling and School Psychology Department at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and Arthur M. Harkins i s a professor in the Department of Educational Policy and Administration at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. StoryTech is the Mme for a visioning process developed by Arthur Harkins, director of the graduate program infuture studies at the University of Minnesota. He retains sole rights to the use of the term StoryTech". He may be contacted at the Department of Educational Policy and Administration, 275 PeiJc Hall, 159 Pillsbury D% S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455. Correspondence regarding this article should be sent to Judith D. Emmett, 41 0 S. 3rd Street, River Falls, Wl54022.

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