ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT: THE BEING AND DOING OF CAREER COUNSELLING
Norman Amundson
University of British Columbia
THE ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT APPROACH
Critical awareness of underlying assumptions
Emphasis on relationship building, confidence building, joy, positive emotions
Flexibility, imagination and creativity Activity beyond discussion - visual and
physical movement A focus on ‘being’ as well as ‘doing’
APPLYING ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT
Readiness
Recruitment
Retention
FOCUSING ON JOYFUL MOMENTS
There is more to life than problems Explore moments of joy and satisfaction
when do they occur in what context what needs are being fulfilled
STORIES
A natural way to share experience Invite emotional and cognitive engagement Help us remember and integrate information Influence self esteem Have the power to move us to action
‘BACKSWING’ STORIES
Moving backwards to generate energy Components:
backward motion release follow through
Psychologically, backswing stories build self esteem prior to action
Stories can be used as part of the ‘backswing process’
INTERPRETING THE STORY
Look for the person behind the story Each person is defined by context but they also
are more than their culture, gender, age, work role, physical ability, mental status, etc.
ACTIVITY: CIRCLE OF STRENGTH
Hear the story Identify strengths:
Skills Aptitudes Attitudes
Apply the insights to current problems The result: action supported by self-confidence
CONTEXTUAL BASED INTERVIEWING
What career advice have you have received from others and what are your thoughts about this.?
How are career decisions made in your family and how are different occupations valued?
In making career decisions does the spiritual domain play a part?
MOST PEOPLE NEVER RUN FAR ENOUGH ON THEIR FIRST WIND TO FIND OUT THEY HAVE A SECOND. GIVE YOUR DREAMS ALL THAT YOU HAVE AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT THE ENERGY THAT COMES OUT OF YOU.
William James (1842-1910)
METAPHORS
Use familiar imagery for understanding Bring order and structure Pull things together Expand possibilities and perspectives
EXPLORING AND EXTENDING CAREER METAPHORS
Moving from internal to external Collaboration, Empathy Driven by natural curiosity Incorporate time line perspective Use drawings when possible.
MULTIPLE CAREER METAPHORS
Developing creativity and imagination Opening up new possibilities Client and counsellor generated using lists of
metaphors
MAGNETIC ATTRACTION AS A METAPHOR FORWORKPLACE ATTACHMENT
ATTRACTOR SHIFTS
Changing values: age, gender, culture Developmental changes: butterfly effect;
tipping point; role shifts; traumatic events
WHEN ATTRACTORS DON’T MATCH
Questions About:
Motivation, Work Ethic, Ambition, Commitment, Maturity, Stability, Depth, Self
Esteem, Warmth, Decision Making, Creativity
METAPHOR ACTIVITY: UP, UP AND AWAY!
Imagine a series of hot air balloons (Why, How, Whom, Vision, Flexibility, Health) to offer perspective to life / career problems.
Construct a drawing of the balloons you are currently holding. How much air is in each of them? You may also want to represent the balloons using different colors and/or shapes.
UP, UP, AND AWAY: CAREER SELF ASSESSMENT
Knowing WhyKnowing Why
Knowing WhomKnowing Whom
HealthHealth
VisionVision FlexibilityFlexibility
Knowing HowKnowing How
Appendix VI
ACTIVITY: LIFE/CAREER AS A BOOK
Book Title Chapter Headings Chapters Still to be Written
LIVING WITH HOPE
Focusing on the positive Believing in the “possible” Trusting oneself
ACTING WITH COURAGE AND HUMILITY
Discovering the “hero” within Seeking adventure Persisting when problems arise Accepting help from others “Positive Uncertainty”
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITY
Following natural curiosity Exploring widely Being flexible and open minded Willing to take risks “Planned Happenstance”
THANKS FOR BEING PART OF TODAY
Norman Amundson
University of British Columbia
www.ergoncommunications.com