Prepared by Merrit B. Henry JP., PhD. Career Development Specialist Dysfunctional Career Thinking: Connecting The Dots… Education, Interests, Careers and the 21st Century Workplace. Prepared by Merrit B. Henry JP., PhD. Career Development Specialist

Overview Introduction Background to the Study Dysfunctional Career Thinking (DCT)Explained Findings Development of a Career Information Kit (CIK) How DCT impacts Career Development- Secondary, Tertiary level DCT :21st Century Workplace Connecting The Dots conclusion & Recommendations

Introduction Career Defined Dysfunctional Career Thinking “Time extended working out of a purposeful life pattern through work undertaken by the person.” (Reardon, Lenz, Sampson, Peterson, 2009, p. 6) Dysfunctional Career Thinking Dysfunctional career thinking comprises the verbalising of negative statements about career choices that make career problem solving and decision making more difficult. (Sampson, Peterson, Lenz Reardon and Saunders, 1996)

Dysfunctional Career Thinking-How Learnt “Dysfunctional career thoughts and dysfunctional career thinking are learnt in families, peer groups, at school and at work through exposure to misinformation, lack of information, misinterpretation of information, beginning in childhood and continuing through adolescence and adulthood in response, to negative learning thoughts.” (Sampson, Lenz, Peterson Reardon & Saunders, 1996, p. 13).

Background to the Study Evidence of DCT school and home – ( Erickson, 1959,1980); – Misinformation, lack of information , verbalisation of negative statements about careers Parental influence Inadequate career information (Henry,1997) Evidence that secondary level institutions are not adequately prepared to help students make realistic career choices

Background to the Study Cultural norms and gender biases regarding career decisions Transitional challenges of students at the tertiary level Demands of a globalized world of work- Diversity of careers Access to Information (positive and negative)

Assumptions Governing Career Information Processing Career choices are based on how we think and feel Making career choice is a problem solving activity Our ability as career problem solvers is based on what we know and how we think Career decisions require a good memory Career decisions require motivation

Assumptions Governing Career Information Processing (cont.) Career development continues as part of our lifelong learning and growth Our career depends largely on what and how we think about it The quality of our career depends on how well we learn to make career decisions and solve career problems

Career Decision Making : Cognitive Information Processing(CIP)      Adapted from “Career Development and Planning: A Comprehensive Approach” Reardon, R. C., Peterson, G. W., Sampson, James, P. Jr., & Lenz, J. G. (2000). Career development and planning: A comprehensive approach (1st. ed.). Pacific Grove, California: Wadsworth-Brooks/Cole Publishing. Communication ,Analysis, synthesis,Valuing&Execution

Decision Making Skills Domain-CIP Communication- Identification of a gap Analysis-Interrelating problem components Synthesis-Likely alternatives Valuing---Prioritising alternatives Execution-Forming means -ends strategies

STUDY Existence or otherwise of dysfunctional career thinking in Jamaican secondary schools & development of a CIK Population consisted of third form students from secondary schools in region 1 (Kgn. & St. Andrew) Sample size 20%- 6 secondary schools Interviews conducted with guidance counsellors from 6 schools

Findings -Study Research findings: Guidance Counsellors and third form students from 6 secondary schools - DCT exists at all stages of the career decision making process (Knowledge, Decision Making , Executive Processing) Lack of career information 62% were not aware of the use of career assessment instruments 50% were aware of a career information centre

Development of a Career Information Kit (CIK) The CIK was developed based on: Research findings – Henry ( 2016) Literature - (Reardon, Lenz, Sampson, Peterson, 2009) High level of validity and reliability

How DCT impacts Career Development Secondary level Subject Choices : third form, sixth form Lack of Career Information Parental Expectation Tertiary level Students at tertiary level not settled in their career choice(Reynolds, 2004) Majors not in keeping with Interests ,abilities, values & marketability Poor performance Attrition Changing Major/ faculty & Spending a longer time to complete Financial Challenges Delayed goal attainment

DCT and 21st Century Workplace World of work changing- focus not only on academics: Holistic development of individual Global village –shift from national to regional and international companies Access to global market International recruitment-Requirements Digital-age Literacy, Dedication, Commitment Inventive Thinking , Creativity, Cultural diversity Effective Communication, Foreign Languages Flexibility, Problem solving , High Level of Productivity

DCT and 21st Century Workplace New and emerging career Online – Facilitators, Programme Developer, Logistics Solar/Energy Alternative Personnel Aeronautical Engineering Animation Social Media Manager Web Developer Electronics Engineer Social Marketing

DCT and 21st Century Workplace -Impact Competitive world of work requiring highly skilled & motivated persons Persons experiencing DCT difficult to land a job Lacks motivation Poor performance May work in an area not in keeping with qualification May Seek retraining Absenteeism Ill health

DCT…..Twenty First Century Workplace….Connecting The Dots.. In global economy need for human resources contemplated in terms of global demands and supply Need for highly trained persons in specialised career areas to meet global requirements Educational institutions are suppliers of Human resources-Tertiary level playing a major role Link between tertiary and secondary levels in students career development in order to ensure success at tertiary level

DCT…..Twenty First Century Workplace……Connecting The Dots...(cont’d) Exposure to career information at the Secondary Level important Link between preparation of human resources ( Secondary & Tertiary) and labour market supply locally regionally and internationally - integration of Global Market Place

DCT exists among students in Jamaican secondary level institutions Conclusion DCT exists among students in Jamaican secondary level institutions Influence of peers ,teachers, family other significant others can impact DC Interests, values abilities, marketability are major factors to consider when making a career decision cognitive information processing plays a vital part in career decision making Availability of career information is vital to the career decision making process

Recommendations Increased training and placement of Career Specialists in high schools by Ministry of Education Parenting sessions organized by PTA Structured career development programmes in schools Increased availability of career information in secondary schools and public libraries - CIK

Recommendations-cont’d Greater linkages between secondary and tertiary level institutions and world of work Transitional programmes

A Glimpse of the CIK 15 High Demand Career Areas

Discussion/Questions/Answers