Career Counseling Theoretical Framework Key Components

Career Counseling Theory Case Study.

For this assignment, you will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of career counseling theory by choosing a career counseling theory addressed in Units 1 or 2 and applying it to the case study provided below. Approach the case study from the perspective of your individual specialization (for example, mental health counseling, school counseling, et cetera). You can embellish the case scenario as needed to help you complete the assignment.

Scenario

Taneka, a 17-year-old African-American female, is a high school junior. She is the oldest of three siblings living with her single-parent mother. Her mother has worked for the past 15 years at a manufacturing plant. Her father has not been a part of Taneka’s life.

As the oldest child, Taneka has held major responsibilities throughout her life to support her working mother, such as caring for her younger siblings: Derrick, now age 14, and Kenya, age 12. These early duties reinforced development of her natural leadership skills. Taneka has been recognized from an early age for being mature, responsible, and dependable. As her siblings have grown, she has been able to have part-time jobs, most recently as a salesperson at a teen fashion store in the local mall. It was here that she first realized she had a knack for dealing with people, and they responded well to her—employers, co-workers, and customers alike. She was recently approached by her supervisor to consider participating in the company’s employee leadership training program.

This has caused Taneka to start thinking about post-secondary education possibilities. Previously she had thought college was out of her reach, due to the limited financial resources of her family and no history of anyone in her family ever attending college. As such, she had not previously given much importance to her grades. Rather than participating in extracurricular school activities, she focused on working. She is on track for graduating with her class next year and has a current grade point average of 2.05.

Taneka is now questioning her previous assumption about college or other post-secondary educational possibilities, but she does not have a clear idea of what she would like to pursue as a career. Choosing a career and a post-secondary program to prepare for it, seeking financial support, and navigating the admissions procedure all remain mysteries to her.

In your paper, address the following:

• Argue for one relevant theory to be applied to the scenario. Note:Appropriate career counseling theories include, but are not limited to, Holland, Super, Krumboltz, Gottfredson, Social Cognitive Theory, and Person-Environment-Fit.
• Identify the theory you chose and provide a rationale as to why you have selected this career theory.
• Describe the key components of your chosen career counseling theoretical framework.
• Analyze any challenges you might have applying this theory to the case.
• Propose possible approaches for addressing the challenges you identified.
• Be sure to include research findings that support your use of this theory (Include a minimum of one supporting reference not provided in this course).

Your assignment should be 4–5 pages in length and include at least three references, including your text. Be sure to indicate your specialization in your paper. Review the Career Counseling Theory Case Study Scoring Guide to understand the grading expectations for this assignment.

In this career counseling case study, I will apply the Social Cognitive Theory to the scenario provided. I specialize in school counseling, and I believe that the Social Cognitive Theory is an appropriate choice for addressing Taneka’s career-related concerns.

Rationale for Choosing the Social Cognitive Theory:

I have chosen the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) for Taneka’s case because it emphasizes the role of social influences, observational learning, self-efficacy beliefs, and self-regulation in career development. SCT is particularly relevant to adolescents like Taneka who are in the process of exploring their career options, as it acknowledges the influence of role models and the importance of self-beliefs in shaping career aspirations.

Key Components of Social Cognitive Theory:

1. Observational Learning: SCT posits that individuals can learn by observing the behaviors and experiences of others. In Taneka’s case, her experiences as a responsible and dependable older sister, as well as her positive interactions with coworkers and customers in her part-time job, may have influenced her career interests.
2. Self-Efficacy: This is a central concept in SCT, referring to an individual’s belief in their ability to perform a specific task or achieve a particular goal. Taneka’s self-efficacy is essential in determining whether she believes she can pursue post-secondary education and a specific career path.
3. Outcome Expectations: SCT suggests that individuals are more likely to pursue careers that they believe will lead to positive outcomes and rewards. Taneka needs to explore her expectations regarding the potential benefits of higher education and different career paths.
4. Self-Regulation: SCT emphasizes self-regulation processes, such as goal setting, planning, and self-monitoring. These processes can help Taneka navigate the college admissions process and plan her educational and career journey effectively.

Challenges in Applying SCT to Taneka’s Case:

1. Limited Exposure to College and Career Information: Taneka’s family background and lack of exposure to college-going culture may limit her understanding of post-secondary education and various career options. She may not have role models who have pursued higher education.
2. Low Academic Performance: Taneka’s current GPA of 2.05 is below average, which could affect her self-efficacy regarding college admissions. Low self-efficacy in this context may deter her from pursuing higher education.
3. Financial Constraints: The limited financial resources of Taneka’s family could pose a significant barrier to her pursuing post-secondary education. Her perception of the cost of college may be a deterrent.

Approaches to Addressing Challenges:

1. Exposure to Role Models: Connect Taneka with mentors or role models who have successfully navigated the college admissions process and have similar backgrounds. This can help her gain insight into the possibilities and benefits of higher education.
2. Academic Support: Provide academic support and resources to help Taneka improve her GPA. This can boost her self-efficacy and make her feel more confident about her ability to succeed in a college setting.
3. Financial Aid Guidance: Offer information and guidance on scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities to alleviate her concerns about the cost of education.
4. Career Exploration: Encourage Taneka to explore various career options, possibly through job shadowing or informational interviews. This can help her identify a career path that aligns with her interests and strengths.
5. Goal Setting and Planning: Work with Taneka on setting clear academic and career goals, and help her create a step-by-step plan to achieve them. This can enhance her self-regulation skills and motivation.

In summary, applying the Social Cognitive Theory to Taneka’s case can help address her career-related challenges by focusing on the influence of social factors, self-beliefs, and self-regulation processes. By providing the necessary support, guidance, and exposure to positive role models, Taneka can develop a clearer understanding of her career options and increase her self-efficacy in pursuing higher education and a fulfilling career path.