1 MHS 5340 Foundations of Career Development James P. Sampson, Jr. Florida State University Career Development Needs and Services for Special Populations

2 Special Populations Women Men Dual-Career Couples Gay Men, Lesbians, Bi-Sexual Persons, and Transgendered Persons Multicultural Groups Persons with a Disability Immigrants Persons with a Criminal Record Commonalities and Differences

3 Women Entered the work force in large numbers in W W II Stayed in the work force because of: –Independence from economic power –Pride / self-esteem of having a career –Preferred identity separate from husband

4 Women More women work every year Income no longer contributes superficially to family income (“pin” money) Most commonly employed in “traditional” occupations

5 Women Issues –Stereotyping (always bad) –Discrimination –Reverse discrimination –Limited childcare –Welfare-to-work transition (work first programs)

6 Women Issues: –Glass ceiling –Window dressing –Work-family conflict –Pay differential –Limited mentoring –Sexual harassment

7 Men –Stereotyping –Discrimination –Work = identity & self-esteem –Balancing work & family –Work addiction / workaholism –Retirement issues

8 Dual-Career Couples Dual-career couples: –professional/ managerial –Continuous employment –Higher work salience Dual-worker couples: –non-professional/ non-managerial –non-continuous employment –Lower work salience

9 Dual-Career Couples Problems balancing work and family Competition Advancement positions (turn taking)

10 GLBT Issues (out) –Stereotyping –Discrimination –Mentoring –Benefits

11 GLBT Issues (in) –stereotypes (also out) –discrimination (also out) –pressure to hide true identity –Attend to terminology and appropriate pronouns –Heterosexualism - assuming someone is straight

12 Multicultural Groups –Stereotyping –Discrimination –Reverse discrimination –Limited mentoring –Welfare-to-work transition (work first programs) –Window-dressing

13 Multicultural Groups Stereotypes are influenced by poverty (less money = fewer educational opportunities)

14 Persons with a Disability Disability issues –Language is powerful –A disability is a diagnosable condition –“Persons with disability” vs. “disabled persons” –“handicapped” - potential negative effect of disability Context-specific

15 Persons with a Disability Disability issues –Stereotyping –Discrimination –Reverse discrimination –Window dressing –Spread effect - making generalized assumption of multiple impairments based on one disability

16 Persons with a Disability Americans with Disabilities Act: –Must make reasonable accommodation without putting business into economic hardship –Must be able to diagnose condition –What does the person with the disability need to perform the duties of the job? – Job accommodation

17 Immigrants Career issues related to group membership Relocation issues Cultural issues

18 Persons with a Criminal Record Career issues related to group membership Transition issues Discrimination

19 Commonalities and Differences Within-group differences are larger than between-group differences

20 Commonalities and Differences Different populations have different needs, but career development theory applies to all groups Be aware of issues, but don’t make assumptions (reinforces stereotypes) If you want to find out, ASK! –Contributes to the collaborative relationship and strategic alliance with the client

21 Adverse Impact Individuals experiencing discrimination may be denied accurate feedback on their abilities which complicates the development of self knowledge –They are uncertain if their failure (or success) was based on their group membership or their actual ability to perform in class or on the job.

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