Career Counseling: A Narrative Approach

For decades, scholars and professionals have been attracted to theories offering a deeper view of career, but have been frustrated by difficulties in translating theories of meaning making, development, and identity into viable practice. At the same time, there has been growing disenchantment with impersonal techniques of matching an individual s traits with skills required for a specific vocation. While personality traits and talents may help to predict a predisposition to a career type, this method of analysis neglects the influences of human purpose, passion, and life history. In Career Counseling, author Larry Cochran fills the void by introducing the theory of narrative construction, a method of counseling that injects personal identity into career development in a practical way. Cochran demonstrates how literary models and constructivist methods can be used in career development to provide the essential subjective dimension that has been lacking in practical counseling. In addition, he provides the innovative materials that are necessary for making this process both efficient and effective. Contributing a unique and important perspective and approach to career counseling, this volume will be widely used by scholars and professionals in the fields of career counseling, clinical/counseling psychology, social psychology, and management.