Career Techniques and Interventions: Themes From an International Conversation

Abstract

The need for appropriate, timely, and increasingly comprehensive career development and education programs continues to escalate. It is interesting that despite the differences in cultures, religions, economies, political systems, and education structures, many countries face similar challenges when designing and implementing career development programs. Sharing and adapting career development interventions and techniques cross-culturally appear to be viable strategies for implementing or enhancing programs, provided the concepts and materials are tailored to the countries' unique requirements.Across the world, a large number of career development and education interventions have received wide recognition and been adapted for use by a number of countries. According to research and anecdotal data, many of the adaptation results have proven effective. Others, however, have fallen short of their intended outcomes, apparently because of a variety of factors; however, interest in adapting theories, programs, and materials for use beyond the environments for which they were designed remains high.Consequently, part of the symposium International Perspectives on Career Development was dedicated to understanding, on a deeper level, the factors that influence cross-cultural and cross-national intervention adaptations. Group 3, one of seven small groups charged with specific symposium tasks, explored issues around career development techniques and interventions. Encouraging input from international specialists in the field of career development, this cross-cultural, cross-national group focused on the following questions:• Can career intervention techniques be used cross-culturally?• What are the considerations in applying career intervention techniques cross-culturally? • What are the difficulties in adapting career intervention techniques for cross-cultural use?

International Handbook of Career Guidance

“…In the face of all these changes career counsellors are learning to value a more dynamic, imaginative and flexible approach to career counselling (Amundson, 2003aFeller, Russell, & Whichard, 2005;Duncan, Hubble, & Miller, 2004;. Counsellors often find themselves dealing with a broader range of clients with more complex issues.…”

The Internationalization of Educational and Vocational Guidance

“…Given the shortage of trained counselors, some individuals and countries look to technology to fill the gap (Watts, 2005). They perceive a need to maximize technology's potential to serve an ever-expanding set of career development needs (Feller et al, 2005). Although technology certainly has the potential to be a great aid, the greatest disparity in career service delivery among the countries participating in the symposium concerns access to information technology, such as the Internet, CD-ROM, and computer-based career guidance programs.…”

“…There is burgeoning awareness worldwide that career development is no longer just about "getting a job." In fact, it is more about learning how to live a full life in which a career is only one aspect (Feller et al, 2005). Of course, this holistic emphasis calls for more counseling and less guidance (Guichard & Lenz, 2005), yet there are not enough counselors to provide this service.…”

“…The group led by Feller et al (2005) identified six considerations when designing or adapting career interventions to a new cultural context: (a) sensitivity to the values and belief systems of the individuals who will be served; (b) appreciation for their social expectations about work roles; (c) attention to key decision-making points and transitions in that society; (d) understanding the economic climate in terms of globalization, unemployment, and political stability; (e) regard for the available resources and support from governments and institutions; and (f) design of implementation methods that fit public policy, local practices, and availability of information technology.…”

“…Certainly, as reported by Feller, Russell, and Whichard (2005), the symposium reflected the growing international interest in career development and planning programs. This is due, in part, to the globalization of economies that affects where work can be found and who has access to it.…”