This article is being published on the heels of Orange Shirt Day, which acknowledges the experience of Indigenous people who were forced to attend residential schools in Canada and aims to contribute to the ongoing process of reconciliation by honouring the healing journey of the survivors and their families. Listening to their stories reminds us of the damaging legacy of residential schools and presents an opportunity to reckon with the systemic racism that continues to affect Indigenous people in this country today.
A social justice approach to career development requires professionals working in career development to consider the context in which their clients and students navigate the education system and working world. This includes experiences of racism and trauma, among other barriers. It also urges CDPs to reflect critically on their own biases. By becoming informed about a social justice lens to career development, professionals in this field can be better equipped to contribute to positive change through advocacy and by supporting jobseekers more holistically as they navigate their career journey. For more on social justice, be sure to check out Resources on career development and social justice Part 1 and Part 3.
Adventures in Career Development [Blog]
A collection of UK-based careers expert Tristram Hooley’s blogs, articles, reports and more. Searching by the “social justice” tag pulls up articles such as “Why a social justice informed approach to career development matters in the time of coronavirus,” “Why climate change is a career issue,” and “Automation and social justice.”
An Exploration of Career Counselors’ Perspectives on Advocacy (The Professional Counselor) [Article]
It appears that although career counsellors value social justice and are aware of the effects of injustice on clients’ lives, they act primarily at the individual rather than the systemic level. This study aims to bridge a gap between theory and practice by illuminating the perceptions of advocacy behaviours from career counsellors as they reflect on their work.
Career Counselors’ Perspectives on Social Justice Advocacy (University of North Carolina) [Dissertation]
The counselling profession is committed to promoting social justice, but each counsellor’s advocacy looks different depending on many different factors, both personal and professional. Although we have theoretical frameworks for integrating advocacy, we know little about how counsellors are applying them. The purpose of this study is to connect theory to practice by increasing understanding of how career counsellors view the practical application of advocacy.
Career Development Practice In Canada: Perspectives, Principles, And Professionalism (CERIC) [Textbook]
The book has been designed to be a learning tool for students, a resource for educators and a reference for career practitioners in the field. It includes information about social justice, with topics including: “Diversity and Social Justice: Guiding Concepts for Career Development Practice”; “Linking Culture and Social Justice”; and “Employment Experiences: A Question of Social Justice.” The book is available for purchase and individual chapters can be downloaded for free.
Career Guidance for Social Justice Contesting Neoliberalism – Tristram Hooley, Ronald Sultana and Rie Thomsen [Book]
This edited collection examines the intersections between career guidance, social justice and neo-liberalism. Contributors offer an original and global discussion of the role of career guidance in the struggle for social justice and evaluate the field from a diverse range of theoretical positions.
Development of the Multicultural and Social Justice Competencies (MCSJC) Scale for Career Development Practitioners (Canadian Journal of Career Development) [Article]
Career practitioners are increasingly called to engage in social justice action with or on behalf of their clients. This study focuses specifically on the creation of a tool for assessing the multicultural counselling and social justice competencies of career practitioners, based on current theoretical, research, and applied practice knowledge and a deliberate emphasis on social justice.
Enhancing Accordance Between Person and Environment Through an Ecological Career Counselling Approach (CERIC) [Webinar]
In this webinar, Mei Tang introduces the ecological career counselling model with an aim for practitioners to acquire strategies to help individuals optimize assets and overcome barriers in the ecosystem in order to achieve sustainable outcomes from our career interventions.
How technology can support career professionals in addressing social justice issues (Careering magazine) [Article]
Two of the largest social justice issues in Canada are poverty and urban income inequality. This article focuses on one aspect of addressing poverty, inequality and injustice: providing career information and guidance to people without easy access to them.
Innovating Career Counseling by Promoting Social Justice (Advocacy) and Decent Work for All: Helping People Make Social Contributions and Heal Themselves (Nature Public Health Emergency Collection) [Article]
This chapter covers the emotional effect of changes in the world of work that have taken place globally over the past few decades on people. The discussion then moves to the need for and importance of career counselling as a means to help people interpret and deal with these changes.
Social Justice and Advocacy in Counseling: Experiential Activities for Teaching – Eds. Mark Pope, Mariaimeé Gonzalez, Erika R.N. Cameron and Joseph S. Pangelinan [Book]
Social Justice and Advocacy in Counseling provides a thorough and up-to-date grounding in social justice and advocacy for counselling students and faculty. Chapters address issues of discrimination and oppression and their effect on individuals and cultural groups through a variety of activities. The book’s final section focuses on counselling specialties, including school and career counselling.
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