1. Using Technology to Support Career Counseling and Planning
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Chapter 7
Using Technology to Support Career Counseling and Planning
Developed by:
Jennifer Del Corso

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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 , cell phone or notes posted on their portfolios

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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 , cell phone or notes posted on their portfolios

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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
Ethical guidelines for distance counseling has been developed by NBCC

21. 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)

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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