ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT: THE BEING AND DOING OF CAREER COUNSELLING

Norman Amundson

University of British Columbia

amundson@interchange.ubc.ca

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

amundson@interchange.ubc.ca

www.ergoncommunications.com