Debra S. Osborn

The Relationship Among Constructs in the Career Thoughts Inventory and the Self-Directed Search

An understanding of vocational interests and Hollands RIASEC theory are helpful ideas for most persons involved in career decision making. Yet, sometimes dysfunctional thinking interferes with this matching process, and persons are unable to make career choices effectively. The relationship between RIASEC typology structure as measured by the Self-Directed Search and dysfunctional thoughts as measured by the Career Thoughts Inventory was investigated in this study. A canonical correlation analysis showed that dysfunctional thinking may effect some RIASEC types more than others. Implications for career counseling are discussed.

Military veterans: Creative counseling with student veterans

Student veterans represent a unique population on college campuses. Not only are they transitioning back to civilian life but also into a new role as college student. This paper describes the attempts of one university to aid in that transition through the means of expressive arts. A detailed description of the Paper Peace and glass pouring workshops and accompanying pictures is provided in this paper. In addition, reflections on the workshops and plans for future workshops are described.

Using Career Theory to Integrate Qualitative and Quantitative Career Assessment

Qualitative and quantitative career assessment are based on differing philosophies of science, with qualitative assessment based on postmodern assumptions and quantitative assessment based on modern assumptions. Taken literally, the philosophical assumptions of both approaches are incompatible; if career practitioners accept the assumptions of one, they must reject the assumptions of the other.

A Survey of Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam Types and Procedures: Recommendations for Clinical Supervisors and Counseling Faculty

Clinical supervisors and faculty within counseling programs have ethical, legal, and professional obligations to ensure students possess comprehensive knowledge of core counseling components. This survey research study examined the types of comprehensive exams used by counselor education programs as well as their remediation and dismissal procedures when students do not pass comprehensive exams. Results show statistically significant differences with programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) requiring multiple-choice exams. Recommendations for clinical supervisors and counseling faculty are discussed.

Preparing Juvenile Offenders for College and Career Readiness: A Cognitive Information Processing Approach

ABSTRACT Youth with juvenile justice (JJ) interactions and/or adjudications face a number of challenges as they transition back into their community, including college and career readiness needs. In addition to the typical concerns of adolescents facing postsecondary decisions, these youths’ decisions are complicated by a myriad of other factors, often including an arrest record, poor social support, substance abuse issues, low socioeconomic status, and mental health concerns. While some career development research has centered on the career development of offenders, and the call for integrative career programs has been voiced, no scholarly articles were found that described the application of a career counseling model to youthful offenders. In this article, a well-researched career delivery model, cognitive information processing (CIP), and potential applications for youthful offenders are described. A case scenario is provided, and implications for research, practice, and consultation are outlined.

Virtual School Counseling.

The advent of virtual schools opens doors to opportunity for delivery of student services via the Internet. Through the use of structured interviews with four practicing Florida virtual school counselors, and a follow-up survey, the authors examined the experiences and reflections of school counselors who are employed full time in a statewide virtual school. Findings highlight how virtual school counselors differ in their activities from traditional school counselors. This article presents implications for practice, training, and future research.

Career Portfolio Completion and Student Interviewing Skills (Technical Report No. 56)

This study examined whether or not students using an online career portfolio, including the matrix for identifying and reflecting on transferrable skills, enabled them to more effectively and confidently communicate their skills in a simulated (mock) job interview. Three groups were studied, those completing the skills matrix in the portfolio, those using the portfolio but not the skills matrix, and those not using the portfolio. Results indicated only one difference across the groups on the five skills self-ratings completed by the students. Specifically, those completing the portfolio skills matrix were less likely to report having taken steps to develop workforce skills than those not using the portfolio. Other findings pertained to difficulties in conducting research on the effectiveness of online career portfolios and suggestions for correcting such problems in the future.