Youth with refugee backgrounds in Australia: Contextual and practical considerations for career counsellors

Abstract

Youth with refugee backgrounds face challenges in their journey towards successful integration in Australia. Some challenges relate to macro-level changes occurring in the world of work and some to their transition from an agrarian or industrial society to a post-industrial Western country. Addressing the future career development of youth with refugee backgrounds may lead to improved integration outcomes. As career counselling has its roots in social justice, assisting those from refugee backgrounds to integrate into Australian society is an important task for career counsellors. However, career counsellors need to respond with caution and sensitivity as many models and theories have been criticised for not responding to multicultural and contextual issues concerning diverse populations. This article outlines some of the challenges faced by youth with refugee backgrounds in Australia, considers possible relevant approaches for career counselling and proposes suggestions for career counsellors.

Educational resilience and experiences of African students with a refugee background in Australian tertiary education

“…These negative perceptions drain refugee background students' natural resilience, ensuring they are always on guard to defend themselves in the event they are discriminated against (Uptin et al, 2016). As a result, refugee background students have been defined by the label of 'refugees' and denied their own identity and these experiences have either hindered or interfered with their education and vocational outcomes (Abkhezr et al, 2015). On the other hand, communities where refugee background students live-be they in transit countries or resettlement countries-influence their resilience.…”

Finding voice through narrative storytelling: An exploration of the career development of young African females with refugee backgrounds

“…New trends in the field of career development and a shift towards post-modern approaches that emphasise the context, culture and subjectivity of individuals (Duffy et al, 2016;McMahon, 2014;Savickas, 2012Savickas, , 2013Watson, 2017) seem to accommodate the heterogeneity of the population of young people with refugee backgrounds (Abkhezr et al, 2015;Hughes & Scott, 2013;Słowik, 2014). Researchers and practitioners have been cautioned about relying on theories and ways of practice that do not prioritise the subjective experiences of diverse populations (Watson, 2006).…”

“…Researchers and practitioners have been cautioned about relying on theories and ways of practice that do not prioritise the subjective experiences of diverse populations (Watson, 2006). Instead, relying on approaches that provide a space for the exploration of various culturally and contextually shaped voices present in the lives of participants have been encouraged (Abkhezr et al, 2015).…”

“…Exploring and raising sensitivity to the career development of young people with refugee backgrounds among researchers and practitioners is subject to the provision of such a space and finding lost and silenced voices which can be achieved using narrative approaches (Abkhezr & McMahon, 2017;Maree, 2007;McMahon & Watson, 2013). Narrative approaches to career counselling honour people's subjective experiences, local and particular ways of narrating career stories and conceptualisations of work (Abkhezr & McMahon, 2017;Abkhezr et al, 2015;Blustein, Kozan, Connors-Kellgren, & Rand, 2015;Maree & Molepo, 2007;Słowik, 2014).…”

“…The world of work in these resettlement countries is undergoing dramatic shifts with employment markets and educational systems significantly different from those that people with refugee backgrounds might be familiar with; thus access to meaningful and appropriate work is no longer assured (Blustein, Olle, Connors-Kellgren, & Diamonti, 2016;Duffy, Blustein, Diemer, & Autin, 2016). Successful integration of young people with refugee backgrounds in developed countries is linked to their career development (Abkhezr, McMahon, & Rossouw, 2015;Beadle, 2014).…”