Storytelling in Career Exploration

Virginia Career VIEW Fall 2011 Workshop

The World of Work: What We Know

Today’s workers are changing Lifetime employee vs. temporary

employee Workers are impermanent

Globalization and digitalization Migration of workers Competitive job market

Idea of “Portfolio Careers” Importance of recognizing

strengths/skillsPratt, Graham. http://vimeo.com/25532198 CDAA 2011 Conference: Closing Presentation by Mark Savickas

Dr. Mark Savickas, Professor of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at NEOUCOM

Competencies of the modern successful worker

Adaptability: risk vs. reward, resilience

Identity meaning and purpose knowing & accepting self

Reflexivity understand self; consider strengths

Work-Life Balance times have changed

Narratability telling your story; elevator speech

Employability Employment Relational Employability Transactional

Dr. Mark Savickas, Professor of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at NEOUCOM

When the music changes…

Dr. Mark Savickas, Professor of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at NEOUCOM

so must the dance.

New Challenges = New Goals

WE ARE HERE!

How can we best help students prepare?

Career Success

Pos

itiv

e A

ttit

ud

e

Knowl-edge

Understa

ndin

g o

f

Self

StrengthsWeaknessesAbility to reflectMeaning/purpose

InformationSkills

InterestsOptions

ConfidenceSupportEncourage-mentHappiness

Storytelling as a tool for self-reflection

Positivity Pride Reflection Self Efficacy Confidence Happiness

So, storytelling? Let’s get started. Think of a time in your life, before age 13, when

you felt proud of yourself. Illustrate this experience. Get in groups of 3. Share your story and illustration with your group.

As others share their story, observe body language, emotion and speech.

After each person shares their story, write down 3 positive words (on index card) about each person based on their story. You seemed ______ or I felt you were ______ Give index card to that person.

Reflection How do you feel? How did the words others used to describe you make

you feel? Were you surprised? Did you learn something new? Other observations?

How do I use this activity with students?

Supplies needed: Activity sheet 3 index cards per student White paper for each student Markers Pencil

Time needed 45 min – 1 hour

Alternatives Younger students:

Have students share stories with entire class (class activity) instead of small groups

Write descriptive words on board

Allow more time (1.5 hours) Reflect as a class

Or…

…use as a take-home assignment! Introduce this

activity to parents to use with their children

Benefits: Encourages

conversation Connects children and

parents Helps parents

recognize strengths in children

Sense of pride for students

Great family activity

How does self-reflection relate to career exploration?

Self-assessment Acknowledges

strengths and weaknesses

Confidence/Self-Efficacy Positivity

Excited to explore possibilities

Skills and interests more defined

Positive experience= desire to learn more

Self-Reflection

Career Exploration

VIEW Resources for Career Exploration

K-5 Career Town Kid’s Search **Updated!

** Activities Interactive Games

6-8 Who R U? Activities Career Search School Search

Parents Professionals

References Biswas-Diener, Robert. (2010). Practicing Positive Psychology Coaching:

Assessment, Activities, and Strategies for Success. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Croonquist, Carmen, Career Coach: http://optimalcoachingandconsulting.com/id54.html

Gutterman, Mark, Career Coach/Workplace Consultant: www.meaningfulcareers.com

Pratt, Graham. (2011) CDAA 2011 Conference - Closing Presentation by Mark Savickas. http://vimeo.com/25532198.

Savickas, Mark L. (2005). “The Theory and Practice of Career Construction.” Career Development and Counseling: Putting Theory and Research to Work, edited by S.D. Brown and R.W. Lent. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.*also see Career Construction Theory document: http://www.vocopher.com/pdfs/careerConstruction.pdf

Savickas, Mark L. (2011) Career Counseling: Theories of Psychotherapy. Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association.

Seligman, Ph.D., Martin E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. New York, New York: Free Press.

Seligman, Ph.D., Martin E. P. (2011). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. New York, New York: Free Press.