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/skills Pratt, Graham. CDAA 2011 Conference: Closing Presentation by Mark Savickashttp://vimeo.com/ 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?

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-ReflectionCareer Exploration

VIEW Resources for Career Exploration  K-5  Career Town Career Town  Kid’s Search **Updated!** Kid’s Search  Activities Activities  Interactive Games Interactive Games  6-8  Who R U? Who R U?  Activities Activities  Career Search Career Search  School Search School Search  Parents Parents  Professionals 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:  Gutterman, Mark, Career Coach/Workplace Consultant:  Pratt, Graham. (2011) CDAA 2011 Conference - Closing Presentation by Mark Savickas.  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:  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.