Applying theory of career construction to case study

Applying theory of career construction to case study The purpose of this case study is to apply Savickas’ Theory of Career Construction to a volunteer client Karen. Complete a narrative interview using the structured interview questions in the Career Style Interview, and employing the six steps. Discuss interpretations, observations and obtain her feedback. Theoretical foundation of Career Construction Theory The theoretical foundation of Career Construction theory (CCT) has its beginnings from Constructivism, and according to Sharf (2009) Constructivism is a psychological approach that has developed out of a postmodern philosophical position. It has been stated the Postmodernism period was a â€Å"reaction to modernism†, in that it highlighted the differences in individual views rather than a one-sided, rational scientific view of modernism. (Sharf 2009) Constructivist saw individuals as creators of their own destiny, and constructivist counselors sought to help clients discover that meaning and resolve any discrepancy. (Sharf 2009) According to (Sharf 2009, p316) the constructivism approach was greatly affected by the changing of the work environments in the 1970’s. Employees were no longer staying with one position for their whole work life, as companies were becoming â€Å"less loyal† to employees and watching out for own bottom-line by â€Å"downsizing† their workforce to â€Å"part-time†. Employees soon discovered they needed to take charge of their future and looked to career counselors for help. According to (Busacca, 2007) constructivist career counseling attempts to answer one question â€Å"how can an individual negotiate a lifetime job changes and not lose a sense of self?† Career construction theory (CCT) came about to help individuals develop meaning out of their career choices and actions. CCT addresses how an individual’s â€Å"career†, is made from its personal and social constructs or interactions. These constructs are not actual re al reality, but an individual’s representation of that reality. CCT defines career as an objective and subjective construct. Objectively speaking, career is a listing of positions from the past to present. Subjectively, career is the personal meaning or a pattern of experiences from past, present and future. (Savickas, 2005, p43) CCT is made of three distinct perspectives and each seeks to determine how the individual views their life and career, and how they work together. (Busacca, 2007) These perspectives are life theme, career adaptability, and vocational personality. The Purpose and the Suppositions The purpose of CCT is to help the individual discover the subjective meaning in their work. In helping the individual discover this type of meaning, CCT stress the importance of the relationship between the individual and the counselor. Life themes In Holland’s career development theory, his inventories were used to obtain critical information about the individual, and make predictions about a career path, and also the likely hood of success along this path. Career construction theory takes advantage of the individual’s narrated work stories to discover any meanings or patterns. (Busacca, 2007) It has been stated that â€Å"pattern is the primary unit of meaning†. â€Å"By consciously organizing and binding together these discrete experiences, a unifying life theme patterns† (Savickas 2005, p 58) â€Å"patterns becomes a fundamental and essential way of being because it provides a way for individuals to see themselves and see what is important in the world.† (Savickas, 2005 p58)