Career Counselling,Possible Selves and Changing Occupational Skill Requirements

Abstract

The concept of possible selves is important in understanding client selection of an occupation from a range of choices as well as the development of motivation for the successful pursuit of required courses of training or study in order to achieve employment. Recent changes to many jobs and skill requirements, stemming from technological and economic changes, mean that clients may bring with them beliefs and prejudices about occupations that are based upon incorrect information. Such beliefs have the potential to adversely affect the process of effective career selection and the development of concepts of possible selves that are close to reality. This article considers what career counsellors may do to facilitate clients' formulation of realistic conceptions of possible selves that accurately reflect actual, current occupational skill requirements.

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