Using Technology to Support Career Counseling and Planning Publisher to insert cover image here Chapter 7 Using Technology to Support Career Counseling and Planning Developed by: Jennifer Del Corso

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): Current Trends Almost all systems and applications are Web based rather than installed on individual computers or networks Ever-expanding use of graphics, audio, and streaming video Multiple linkages to other Web sites Use of e-portfolios Increased capability to store documents such as certificates, resumes, cover letters

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): Current Trends (cont Differentiated information targeted to specific audiences (i.e. students in grades 5-6, grades 7-8m, high school, postsecondary; adult workers; parents; administrators and counselors) Trend towards no-fee Websites funded by departments of education, labor, economic development, and/or commerce at the state, national, and international level

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): Current Trends (cont Increased trend to incorporate communication via social media Using social media to network and job search Trend to provide career planning tools via tablets and smartphones

Advantages of Using the Internet for Career Guidance System is available 24/7 Potential to serve a larger audience E-portfolio can be developed and maintained (i.e. certificates, resumes, transcripts) Databases can be updated more frequently

Advantages of Using the Internet for Career Guidance (cont.) Can seamlessly integrate Internet resources and e-mail communication Counselors can communicate with system users while they are online Web-based services via computers, tablets, and smartphone are common practice worldwide

Virtual Career Centers Virtual career centers are websites that bring together various websites into an organized fashion Advantage : free or low cost and are not subject to the licensing agreements of other integrated career planning systems Disadvantage: lack the capability to guide a user from one activity to the next , unable to store assessment info, do not allow counselors to communicate with the users via email, cell phone or notes posted on their portfolios

Types of Career Sources Online Stand-alone Web Sites Integrated Career Planning Systems Virtual Career Centers Mobile Phone Applications Social Networking/Social Media Distance Counseling

Stand-Alone Web Sites There are hundreds, if not thousands, of single-purpose Web sites that address some part of the career planning process

Integrated Career Planning Systems Integrated career planning systems are developed to integrate various content topics into one system (e.g. an interest inventory, searchable occupational database, searchable national postsecondary school database, a resume writer, and a database of job opening) Users can use parts of the integrated career planning system independently or together depending on their specific needs

Examples of Integrated Career Planning Systems ACT Profile – act.org Career Information System-intocareers.com FOCUS 2- focuscareer2.com Hobson’s- hobsons.com Kuder Career Planning Systems- kuder.com Valpar International Corporation- valparint.com Xap Corporation- xap.com

Virtual Career Centers A virtual career centers is a type of integrated planning system Virtual career centers are websites that bring together various websites into an organized fashion

Virtual Career Centers- Advantages free or low cost and are not subject to the licensing agreements of other integrated career planning systems

Virtual Career Centers- Disadvantages lack the capability to guide a user from one activity to the next are unable to store assessment info, choices, made or notes that can be accessed later by the user,, do not collect data about users and their progress do not allow counselors to communicate with the users via email, cell phone or notes posted on their portfolios

Mobile Phone Applications Smart phones are now delivering career planning information and support worldwide Due to the screen size on the phones, career guidance systems must be delivered in small packages Instead of receiving formal reports, assessment results can be sent via text.

Social Networking Newest phenomenon related to the use of technology Web-based social networking sites allow users to create a profile and provide as much personal and professional information as possible from which they can socially connect or network with other individuals (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace) Public profiles are used by employers to search job applicants, therefore information posted on one’s “wall” or profile page should be examined to safeguard one’s image

Two Types of Social Media Sites Type 1: Social Networking sites to connect with others such as Facebook and MySpace Type 2: Professional social networking sites such as LinkedIn which allows companies to post jobs and allows users to post resume information

Strategies for Using Social Media Search yourself on Google to see the links associated with your name and upload documents that would expand your Internet image (or “brand”) Upload professional resumes or profiles- consider using a video resume Make sure postings are consistent in content Get as many connections and endorsements on LinkedIn as possible

Strategies for Using Social Media (cont.) Focus on specific employers and jobs; do your research prior to interview Attempt to gain direct electronic contact with hiring manager at company to cultivate the relationship Consider creating Web Logs (called “blogs”) in which you can journal professional topics

Distance Counseling Provides counseling to a client by a qualified professional via the Internet Experience and research are insufficient at this time to allow an evaluation of its effectiveness Uses video conferences or email Ethical guidelines for distance counseling has been developed by NBCC

Ethical Guidelines for ICT Four professional organizations have developed ethical guidelines for the use of ICT in career counseling and guidance: American Counseling Association (ACA) International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG) National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) National Career Development Association (NCDA)

How to Select Web Sites and Integrated Career Planning Systems theoretical base of the system, if any presence of online inventories and/or capability to take assessment inventories online and/or enter the results of an assessment taken in print form quality and comprehensiveness of databases ease of searches

How to Select Web Sites and Integrated Career Planning Systems (cont.) comprehensiveness of system content user-friendliness and appeal multimedia capabilities quality and track record of vendor

Adding High Touch to High Tech Computer programs alone cannot effectively serve the career planning needs of students/clients because: they may have needs that are masked under the rubric of career concerns. some individuals do not profit from services provided by computer because of their learning or personality style. • Some clients are not ready to receive information because of lack of readiness to process it effectively research indicates that the most effective career intervention is a combination of computer and counselor.

Counselor Competencies Needed Detailed knowledge of the system or site Capability to diagnose the user’s needs and capability to profit from use of technology Capability to motivate user to invest time Capability to help the client process the data into meaningful information Capability to move user beyond information to an action plan 25

Counselor Responsibilities Determine readiness of the client to use a computer system effectively Expand on the interpretation of assessment Assist individuals to identify values that guide decision making Provide motivation and emotional support Suggest creative alternatives

Counselor-Computer Models One-to-one counseling + computer-based system or website(s) Group guidance + computer-based system or website(s) Group counseling + computer-based system or website(s) Cybercounseling + use of assigned websites 27

Issues Related to Use of ICT Environment - lack of face-to-face contact and warm counseling environment Presenting Problems - need to discern which can be dealt with in this mode Clients - need to discern who can profit from service in this mode 28

Issues Related to Use of ICT (cont.) Security - need to protect confidentiality Counselor Training - need to identify competencies and train for them Supportive services - need to discern when to refer 29