10.2 – Apply Career Development Theories and Models

Purpose & Context

Career Development Professionals (CDPs) apply relevant theories, models, frameworks and approaches to understand, analyze, and meet clients’ career development needs.CDPs also use theories to inform program development, implementation and evaluation. By understanding the benefits of programs or services available to different client groups, the services can be adjusted to increase effectiveness.

Effective Performance

Competent career development professionals must be able to:

P1. Identify theories, models, frameworks and approaches that support understanding a client’s presenting concern, i.e.case conceptualization:
- Identify career development theories, models, frameworks and approaches
- Consider own context, culture and biases
- Recognize historical and cultural influences on theories, models, frameworks and approaches
P2. Collect qualitative and quantitative data on client’s career challenges:
- Review client characteristics, e.g. values, interests, personal style, skills, motivation, and readiness for
  change
- Review culture and context, e.g. personal worldview, organizational culture, economic influences
- Identify factors that contribute to client’s career challenges
P3. Select theoretically grounded interventions to address client needs, for example:
- Use Prochaska and DiClemente’s “Stages of Change” model to identify client’s readiness for change
- Use a narrative approach to understand client’s life story and co-construct next steps
P4. Revise programs or services based on theory, for example:
- Review program objectives or goals
- Revise instructional strategies
- Select client assessment tools
- Formulate program evaluation tools
P5. Reflect on practice:
- Reflect on self, e.g. worldview, culture, context, values, relationships, assumptions
- Guard against stereotypes
- Reflect on practice, e.g. engage in mindfulness, self-monitor, learn from clients, examine power relations, plan
  interventions

Knowledge & Understanding

Competent career development professionals must know and understand:

K1. Theoretical foundations and evidence base for selected interventions

Contextual Variables

Competent career development professionals must be able to perform this competency in the following range of contexts:

None

Glossary & Key References

Terms

Industry-specific terms contained in the standard defined here, where applicable.

Case conceptualization: CDP’s understanding of the client’s problems based on the application of relevant theories and supported by a body of research; this enables the CDP to synthesize multiple pieces of information into a coherent narrative.

Information Sources and Resources for Consideration

Arthur, N., Neault, R., & McMahon, M. (Eds.). Career theories and models at work: Ideas for practice. Toronto, ON: CERIC, 2019.

Neault, R. A. Theoretical foundations of career development (pp. 129-152). In B. C. Shepard, & P. S. Mani (Eds.), Career development practice in Canada: Perspectives, principles, and professionalism. Toronto, ON: CERIC, 2014.

Context Rating Scales

Criticality

Q: What is the consequence of a professional being unable to perform this skill according to the standard?

Minimal risk: SOMEWHAT CRITICAL

Frequency

Q: How frequent and under what conditions is this skill performed?

Routinely, regular course of procedure

Level of Difficulty

Q: Under routine circumstances, how would you rate the level of difficulty in performing this skill?

Moderate difficulty or complexity

Time Required to Gain Proficiency

Q: What is the average length of time or number of repeated events that are minimally necessary for an individual to become proficient in performing the skill to the standard?

A career development professional requires a minimum of one year of experience with at least 40 different clients, representing a broad range of individuals.

Autonomy

Practitioners typically perform this competency without supervision, and alone or as part of a team.

Automation

It is somewhat likely that this competency will automate.

Requisite Work Aids, Tools, Equipment or Materials

None