Gibson, Robert L. and Mitchell, Marianne H. (2006). Introduction to career counseling for the 21st century. Reviewed by Anne Deffenbaugh, Ohio State University

Gibson, Robert L. and Mitchell, Marianne H. (2006). Introduction to career counseling for the 21st century. New Jersey: Merrill Prentice Hall. Pp.304 $63.67   ISBN 0133802132 Reviewed by Anne Deffenbaugh Ohio State University March 17, 2006 Gibson and Mitchell’s Introduction to career counseling for the 21st century is a master’s level text providing an accessible and practical foundation for beginning career counselors. The book is divided into nine chapters, covering the following topics: globalization and current trends in work, use of technology in career counseling, theories and assessments, counseling within schools, higher education and in communities, working with diverse populations and the legal and ethical guidelines for career counseling. Inclusion of professional guidelines as appendices of the text reinforces the importance of students’ familiarizing themselves with standards as they begin practicing in various sites and using them as resources throughout their professional development. Each chapter begins with learning objectives and is concluded with discussion questions and class activities that encourage students to reflect on their own perspectives of the content discussed in the chapter as well as explore connections with current events. A list of additional readings on the subject includes both recent professional journal articles and books. In general, the language and writing style are clear and the format of the text allows for easy identification of key points and concepts. The first two chapters, “Introduction” and “Economic Globalization and the World of Work,” serve as an opening to the history of career counseling and the important role work plays within American society. Historical events are presented but are secondary to the recent transformation of the workplace, and in turn peoples’ lives, by technology and globalization. The authors take a humorous approach to presenting the role of “counselor” from the beginning of civilization through current day. Their inclusion of cartoons illustrating the progression of career counseling from prehistoric to medieval times sets the tone for an engaging read. Gibson and Mitchell give a practical context to the role of the career counselor and provide a list of expectations or ideals clients may hold that likely impact their career development and goals. These expectations or myths include: “America is the land of opportunity,” “One prepares for and enters into a career choice for life,” “With honest and hard work, one will advance one’s career,” and “Many careers are more suitable and are primarily limited to men and some – a much smaller number – are more suitable and primarily limited to women” (p. 8). The authors stress the importance of counselors being aware of these unspoken ideas when working with clients and taking active steps to advocate, research, and serve in ways that promote greater career opportunities and equity for all people. The chapter on globalization is a thorough discussion of how current and future work activities and job seeking practices change as networks and resources expand across geographic and cultural boundaries. To underscore this point, the authors include numerous career counselors’ descriptions of their services and programs provided in schools, colleges and universities, and community agencies in locations such as Australia, Botswana, Hong Kong, Jordan and Scotland. The reader is provided with a unique glimpse into other nation’s approaches to career counseling at various points across the lifespan. The third chapter, “Career Development and Technology” serves as a resource for counselors regardless of their level of technological expertise. Included in the chapter is a list of technological competencies as defined by the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) and a definition of common technology terminology. The chapter also includes a brief discussion of career counseling via the Internet and a list of Web sites for job hunters. The distinctive part of the chapter is a section entitled, “Observations from the Field.” After interviews with various technical education institutions, the authors wrote brief descriptions of services and programs offered. These vignettes give the reader a better understanding of another option available to people seeking careers in technology. Chapter four includes an overview of the keystone theories in career counseling and some more current approaches. The authors state, “Career development theories, therefore, are useful when helping counselors understand how their career clients experience career development, make career decisions, and adjust to career demands. They provide us with empirically tested guidelines for our professional practice.” (p. 58). From this introduction, the chapter gives a comprehensive overview to Trait-Factor Theory, Personality Theories with particular emphasis on Holland and Roe, and Developmental Theories focusing mostly on Super’s work. Brief attention is given to Social-Learning, Work Adjustment, Psychodynamic, Chance, Economic and Values Theories and Gottfredson’s theory of Circumscription and Compromise. The chapter concludes with a listing of influences impacting client’s career development and decision-making including: environmental influences and limitations, experiences, significant individuals, peer pressures, financial limitations and self-awareness. The discussion about these practical and core components of the client’s individuality is a helpful reminder to counselors to apply a theory that is congruent with their client’s experiences and place in life. Case studies are presented, however the authors simply provide a biography of individuals' career development with little emphasis on interventions, nor are there questions to engage the reader in applying their knowledge learned about theories in the preceding chapter. “Assessment for Career Planning” is the fifth chapter and outlines the basic goals and value of assessments in counseling, specifically in the domain of careers. The majority of this chapter deals with specific tests in the categories of aptitude, interest, personality and values. The practical use and interpretation of standardized tests are reviewed with particular attention to criteria for test selection and test bias with respect to race and gender. A helpful review of psychometrics is included to refresh student’s memory of key terms and concepts. Non-standardized assessments are described as beneficial methods for helping the client gain self-understanding and the counselor identify traits and strengths within the client. The chapter concludes with a brief overview of technology and assessments and a few guidelines for counselors to follow. “Career Counseling Across the Life Span: School Populations” and “The Adult Years” are the subsequent chapters containing the most specific application of career counseling to clients ranging in age from kindergarten to post-retirement. The authors provide a helpful description of the breadth of school settings (elementary, middle, secondary and higher education) and their general functions. Competencies for each level of counselor are provided as well as sample programs discussed and reviewed. Special attention is given to concerns of persons making their first transition from school to work and potential barriers to effective career development and decision making. The chapter on adults expands to discuss issues of job loss, stress management, importance of incorporating leisure time into one’s work life, part-time workers and people who work at home. Each chapter focuses on the respective population’s developmental and experiential needs. However, the chapter on school counseling reviews basic counseling skills essential to career counseling as well as a discussion of coaching and consultation. Absent from the discussion on adults is a discussion of impact work (and the loss of work) may have on families and relationships. Chapter eight, “Career Counseling for Diverse Populations,” introduces the topic of multicultural counseling by concentrating on culture and its various expressions and areas of influence. Gibson and Mitchell also introduce the reader to literature that illustrates the experience of persons of color and other minorities in counseling. Mental health trainees need to be aware of such issues as the increase in more severe and incorrect diagnoses with persons of color and higher levels of reported dissatisfaction with the care they received in comparison to whites. After referencing multicultural competencies, the authors focus particular attention on the following racial and ethnic groups: African, Latin, Asian, Arab, and Native Americans. When discussing certain populations, guidelines from recent professional journals are cited; however other sections give suggestions or information about a group without a reference to support the statement. At these times, the information can be interpreted as somewhat stereotypical, despite the authors’ direction of the counselor being “…sensitive to the uniqueness of the culture and the client” (p.179). Other groups included in this chapter are: women, older adults, persons working from home, people with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS, and those living in poverty and/or recently released from prison. The authors’ inclusion of groups that typically have not received attention in discussions about career is valuable. The sparse comments on women and work provided little direction for counselors when working with this considerable segment of the work population. The chapter on the topic of multiculturalism fails to address the counselor’s own awareness of their culture and its impact on their work with clients until the “Class Activities” section. At the end of the content, the activities engage the students in critical self-reflection about their own experiences and biases with respect to various demographic groups. The text concludes with a chapter on ethics, laws and program management in relation to career counseling. A timeline including important legislature as it has impacted careers is provided including the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The authors review the definitions and guidelines for confidentiality and privileged communication, competence, and relationships with clients. Unique to this career text is a presentation of program development guidelines. A brief mention is made of the future of counseling as impacted by technology, but the current and more immediate ethical concerns related to the use of technology with clients is not discussed. Overall, Gibson and Mitchell’s text provides students with an accessible and engaging read on the topic of career counseling while including practical and important information to keep in mind when working with clients. Nonetheless, text at times lacks thoroughness with respect to content, specifically in terms of the application of theories, incorporating assessments into career counseling and including awareness and skills with multicultural counseling. The case studies are few in number and do not present opportunities for students to apply their knowledge. The authors seem to focus on Developmental Theory, discussing Erikson and Piaget’s stages in two different chapters, but without a thorough review of more recent responses by scholars proposing theories from a more feminist or multicultural perspective. At times, the authors’ representation of clients and their suggestions for how counselors can effectively work with them assumes the “client” is from a white, middle-class, and heterosexual background. In the chapter focused on adults and career counseling, the authors state, “This period will include more specific career and other life goals which probably include marriage and perhaps the beginning of a family.” (p.162). Later the authors recommend the career counselors encourage clients to “…make friends, speak up, and be positive at all times.” (p. 164). Although these may be helpful suggestions for some clients, for others these actions may counter their cultural norms and therefore their comfort level with implementing them at work. The authors do include a diverse sample of counselors and programs from national and international settings, which helps to emphasize inclusion and expose students to diversity. The text does provide clear and concise information about the fundamental components of career counseling while at the same time incorporating a context for counseling people on the subject of work. In addition to a review of theories and assessments, the authors give the beginning student helpful reminders to explore with the client their unique perspective and experiences with work. The text includes discussion about many groups who have previously been ignored in career texts; however certain parts appear to have bias towards white, middle-class, and heterosexual clients and the theories and interventions traditionally used with them. About the Reviewer Anne M. Deffenbaugh is a Licensed Clinical Counselor and doctoral student in Counselor Education at The Ohio State University. She currently works at Counseling and Consultation Service on campus and has experience in community mental health. Copyright is retained by the first or sole author, who grants right of first publication to the Education Review.