Career Counseling and the Career Diamond: Jennifer

Read the summary on Jennifer and answer the four questions listed at the bottom. Explain how you would incorporate various interventions or instruments/tests, and give a logical rationale for why you have selected these particular career counseling tools.

Jennifer, an African American woman, is approximately 22 years old and in her last semester at MTSU. Completing a BA in Business Administration with a minor in Conservation Studies. Completed two internships: Research Analyst in Washington D.C. and a marketing internship for an environmental consulting firm in SF where she continued to work part-time in her final semester. Has significant volunteer work experience as a tutor and mentor, treasurer for her sorority and event coordinator for the YWCA. She entered career counseling feeling "clueless" about a career direction. After successfully applying for and interviewing for five consulting positions she realized she hated the focus on "pure" analysis and valued life/work balance and subsequently eliminated consulting as a career path. She felt discouraged, worried and frustrated as her final semester drew near.Jennifer is a very bright and personable young woman. She is quite articulate and easily shares information about her work experiences and volunteer work. She lights up when discussing her love of using creativity in making scrapbooks and similar "design" projects. She expressed, "most careers don't value or draw upon her creative side.Jennifer had previously taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® but had not taken any other assessments or worked with a career counselor prior to counseling. Her MBTI results came back indicating that she is an ISTJ. She is very open to learning more about herself and is hopeful the process will yield some career ideas that she can act upon.

Jennifer's Career Profile: Career Driver Skills with Examples
Skills from Skill Summary
Management/Leadership: 30%
Skills: Organize, Lead, Manage Projects and Coordinate. Often the point person on school group projects; sets the goal, runs the meeting and keeps members on track. Volunteer event coordination for numerous YWCA events. Treasurer for her Sorority.
Creative: 40%
Skills: Visualize, Author, Brainstorm, Create Images. Making scrapbooks and decorating for Sorority events. Won an award in a business competition for her design of a retail wine tourist attraction. Food sampling display.
Communication and Relationship: 30%
Skills: Speak/Interact, Persuade, Write, Promote, Advocate, Collaborate, Serve as a Liaison. Writes proposals and marketing materials for her company. Promotes recycling at her Sorority. Volunteer mentor/tutor at a High School for 3 years.
Values with Examples
Leadership
Guiding people to accomplish personal goal or organizational objectives.
Example: As treasurer, worked with officers to manage their budgets and persuaded House Board to lower chapter fees.
Creativity
Using imagination to create images or products.
Example: Produced a Creative Memory Scrapbook for each year of college.
Growth
To be challenged at what I'm doing.
Example: Learned how to promote her company at networking events

QUESTIONS:
1.How will you, as a career counselor, design a four-session program for Jennifer [note: be sure to incorporate the career diamond]?

2.What assessment tools would you select for this client and why?

3.How would you as a career counselor assist Jennifer with her career development in light of the historical and social situation of women and of African Americans today?

4.How would you as a career counselor assist Jennifer with her career development in context of her long-term goals? Support your response citing lifespan development theory.