Career Development and Counseling Interview

The purpose of this assignment is to encourage the integration of the research on the career development theories covered in the Career Development course with an individual’s occupational history. The goal is to develop a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s vocational history and to account for, in theoretical terms, the career-related decisions, behaviors, and judgments the individual made. You are required to include a minimum of 6, current (5 years or less) research articles from professional journals. Use the Calsouthern library, online or hardcopy peer reviewed articles to research the developmental theories you have chosen.

This assignment MUST be typed, double-spaced, in APA style, and must be written at graduate level English. Please DO NOT use Mendeley or other resources for reference citations!

Part I: The Interview

Interview a person at least 30 years of age who is not a family member. You may prefer to choose someone who has made or who is contemplating making a career change. The interview should cover the individual’s occupational history in depth and should be an inquiry process, not therapy. You may choose to tape record your interview to help you prepare for the subsequent analysis; however, your subject must agree and sign a written release of consent*. You do not need to submit a copy of the tape to the mentor, if you choose to record the interview. The interview may take up to 1 to 2 hours to complete.

* The Interview Consent Form is attached below.

Part II: The Paper

The content of the Research Paper should include the following:

1. A clear statement of the theory (such as, Trait-Oriented Theories, Life-Span and Developmental Theories, Happenstance Approach Theory, Holland’s Theory, Social-Cognitive Theories, etc) you use to review the case and a rationale for selecting it. You will need to select 2 theories.
2. Integrate a minimum of six (6) research articles from professional journals supporting the theories you are presenting (Do not use the course text or other texts. You must use scholarly research articles to support your discussion.
3. A brief summary of the individual’s occupational history.
4. An explanation of the individual’s career history when viewed through the lens of your selected theory. Be sure to use the theory to account for the career-related decisions, behaviors, and judgments that the individual made.
5. An analysis of how the theory did and/or did not adequately explain the individual’s career development.
6. Compare and contrast the two theories you selected.

This paper should be 10 pages (plus an extra reference page), double-spaced, and follow APA format. Do not put any identifying information about your subject in the paper. Use a fictitious name to protect the identity of your subject.