08/12/2020
Are there tools, programs or activities that don't require the use of computers?
Hello, I am currently working with cash assistance clients (formerly known as welfare clients), and I work as a vocational specialist. My clients have many barriers (and some have medical and mental health barriers), but for those that are trying to break their barriers, and needing good career guidance work, I am helping to do this for them, but I lack resources, tools, activities, and good free assessments (other than what is on careeronestop.org) as some of our clients don't have good computers or smart phones. Are there tools or programs or activities that you would recommend I use to help move through this career decision process?
Regards,
Marcia
Johnston, Rhode Island
3 Comments
Courtney Warnsman on Thursday 05/20/2021 at 09:34 AM
Hi Marcia,
There are two resources that immediately come to mind:
1. Card Sorts. Basically, this is a deck of cards with career skills, interests, values, etc. that clients can sort into priority lists. These are great tools for visual and tactile learners (and other types of learners, of course). There are some available for purchase, but many career professionals make their own.
2. Career Construction Interview. The Career Construction Interview consists of questions that seem to be completely unrelated to jobs. After the client responds to the questions, the client is able to reflect on patterns seen, etc. You can get all of the information--including printable questions, a client workbook, etc.--for this one at vocopher.com
Hope this helps!
Courtney Warnsman
Debra Osborn on Thursday 05/20/2021 at 01:55 PM
The Decision Space Worksheet (https://career.fsu.edu/tech-center/resources/service-delivery-handouts) is a free subjective inventory that can be used to explore what is impacting a person's career choice. There are other free handouts and guides on that page. "Good" and "free" don't always go together, as it is costly for test developers to validate instruments for various groups, create manuals, etc. I would be cautious of free assessment tools that don't also provide information about validity and reliability - you don't want to be advising someone on career possibilities using a wishy washy inventory, when they are making decisions that could be costly in terms of time and money, for themselves and others.
You might look at the Counselors Guide for Career Assessments (published by NCDA) that includes both free and for fee inventories. Also, many researchers will include their inventories in their articles in Career Development Quarterly, or other journals, with information about psychometric properties, that you could potentially use (I'd email the individual first for permission).
Finally, I would not overlook the value that you bring as a resource. Your ability to hear the concern, listen for and address mental health issues as they emerge, ask relevant questions, and connect them with experiences and information to deepen self and options knowledge are incredibly valuable.
Billie J. Streufert on Thursday 05/20/2021 at 03:59 PM
Have you viewed the experiential resources book in the NCDA store? There are three editions that contain lots of ideas. I hope this helps.
https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/product/706/_BLANK/layout_products/false
