There are many different theories, models, and assessment tools that are used by career counselors over the course of their work. However, it has been found that many tend to try to use the same theory or model throughout their career, if possible because it is the theory or model that they believe to work the best. Due to this, it is important that someone looking into finding a career counselor to work with them, look at what theory they believe would best work for them.
Once they do this then they may begin to look at different career counselors to determine who would be their best fit. Learning Theory of Career Counseling One of the models of career counseling that is the most well rounded is the Learning Theory of Career Counseling. When looking at learning the theory of career counseling, it is important to realize that one is looking at the whole person and all their experiences throughout their life that brought them to that point. These experiences will determine what career path may be best for them.
Therefore, it is imperative that the person is able to be open and honest with their career counselor about their past experiences in order for them to best fit them into a suitable career. The career counselors and clients, who want to use this approach must realize that at times the career counselor will have to be a mentor, coach, or educator to solve specific beliefs that may hinder personal development (Zunker, 2011, p. 93). This is important because the client must know that they will be expected to work closely with the career counselor in order to achieve their career goals.
There are different stages which are to be used when using learning theory of career counseling approach. The stages are as follows first is an interview, the second is assessment, the third is generate activities, the fourth is collect information, the fifth is share information and evaluate consequences, the sixth is reevaluate, make a decision, or recycle, and the seventh is job search strategies (Zunker, 2011, p. 94-95). When these are done in the order listed above it is easy to see that a career counselor can become quite close with their client by working together in this manner.
While there are quite a few steps involved in the learning theory of career counseling approach, it is very important that the counselor has a good understanding of the client and what their goals are, or will evolve to be. By having all the steps and closer contact the career counselor is able to better place a person in a position where they will be happy because the career will fit the person. Downfalls of the Learning Theory of Career Counseling Approach While there are many upsides to the learning theory of career counseling approach there are also some downfalls, as with any approach.
Some of these are excessive amounts of visits with the counselor, the time it takes to find a career for the client, and the need to continue to go after one has found their career. With this approach, there are many times when a client will have to continually return to the counselor in order for the counselor to get to better know them and to discuss any changes in goals. Due to this, the learning theory of career counseling approach is not made for someone who wants to be put in a career quickly.
However, for those who want to take their time to find their perfect career match and can handle the continuous returning to see the counselor this approach may be right for them. Due to the continued visits and the need for the counselor to know almost everything about the client it does take a time to establish the relationship. Due to this, there are many times where the relationship may take a while to build. As it takes a time to decide on any major life changing event a person’s career choice is not much different.
Krumboltz, the maker of the theory, has even gone as far as to say a person is an explorer in their career and he seems to encourage curiosity, flexibility, persistence, optimism and risk taking (Ketchum, n. d. , para. 5). It is important that those looking for this kind of career counseling understand this and be willing to take the time to explore what they really want from a career. Since the learning theory of career counseling approach is one that centers on learning along with what happens in a person’s life in regards to how it can affect career choice or changes.
It is important that one realize that even once they have found their career it is important for them to continue to go back and see the career counselor in order to address any changes in a career that may come from them. These changes can range from promotions to a total change in what a person wants to do with their life. Due to this, the learning theory of career counseling approach may not be for those who are just looking to be given a career they would excel at in order to be finished with career counseling.
It is important for clients, and counselors, to remember that this is a lifelong effort. The Upside to the Learning Theory of Career Counseling Approach While the learning theory of career counseling approach may not be for everyone it is important that those who utilize the approach remember that it is complex and due to this it is the best way to match a person to their ideal career. Since it encompasses everything from addressing career concerns, switching careers, and personal counseling it is very well rounded in finding the perfect career match for a person.
Since the career counselor at times has to act as an actual counselor it is good for the counselor to understand that the cognitive behavioral theory can be used very closely when looking at the learning theory of career counseling approach. The cognitive behavioral theory and the learning theory of career counseling approach can be used in unison with assessment tools such as the career beliefs inventory in order for a person to process what they want out of a career and see it in a different light (Schreiner, 2012, para. 3). By using these tools, along with many others, it is easy to see that the learning theory of career counseling approach is the most comprehensive career counseling approach. Assessment Tools There are many assessment tools which can be used in career counseling and while all may work well it is important for a counselor to find one that best fits the counseling approach that they most often work with.
When using the learning theory of career counseling approach one of the most commonly used assessments it the career beliefs inventory which helps measure the attitudes and beliefs that one has that could be interfering with career goals (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2012, p. 168). This assessment is believed to be the best when looking into using the learning theory of career counseling approach as it was invented by the same person who came up with the approach making it comprehensive.
With this assessment and using this approach there are not many other assessments that should be used, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Conclusion While there are many different career counseling techniques which could be used it is important to realize that many clients and career counselors are looking for something comprehensive. Due to this, many try to find an approach which is as comprehensive as possible. By doing this many could be led to the use of the learning theory of career counseling approach due to the comprehensive and complex nature of the theory.
It is important that a client does research on which approach they would like used and to find a career counselor who most often employs that approach in order to better fit their own needs. By doing this, they will be able to find the perfect career for themselves. In conclusion, the learning theory of career counseling is something that should be used by those who are willing to put the time and effort into finding their perfect career.
