Chapter 11Career Counseling for Women

Career Development Theories for WomenGinzberg: lifestyle dimensions for womenTraditional Transitional Innovating StereotypesWhat stereotypes are associated w/ women that work full time? What about women that are stay at home moms?

Career Development Theories for WomenZytowski: vocational patterns of womenMild vocational Moderate vocational Unusual vocational

Special Needs for WomenTitle VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972Career informationWomen need to be made aware of atypical professions and need to be encouraged to seek advanced degrees in all career areas

Special Needs for WomenDual RolesRole of mother/wife and employee often conflictDespite working outside the home, women still take on the primary responsibility for childrearingColeman (1998) found men spend 50% of their time in play w/ their children; women only spend 10% of their time in play w/ their children

Special Needs for WomenNeed for leadership rolesWomen have traditionally lacked power in the workplace Glass Ceiling Divorced Women/Working EnvironmentMany companies are not family friendly, especially to women with the sole responsibility of childrearing

Wentling (1992) Climbing to the TopEducational credentials Hard workMentorsInterpersonal/people skillsCompetency on the jobWillingness to take risks

Sexual HarassmentSingle most work hazard to women50% will experience sexual harassment at some pointFactors that constitute sexual harassment are subjectiveWas the behavior extreme?Was the victim to blame?Is the perpetrator a direct supervisorHow frequently did the offense occur?

Multicultural PerspectivesAfrican American womenTraditionally cooks, housemaids, nannies, and other low paying jobsMaking advancement in institutions of higher educationFace discriminationAsian American womenStrong focus on family has held them backGenerational conflicts are common related to work

Multicultural PerspectivesHispanic womenTypically in non-skilled jobsUnderrepresented in institutions of higher educationNative American WomenRoles of women vary by tribeTypically homemakers and caregivers

Career Counseling InterventionsJob Search SkillsEncourage women to apply for nontraditional jobs Learn a typical skills necessary to apply for such jobs Discuss gender role stereotypes both in and out of the workplace

Career Counseling InterventionsWorking ClimatePrepare women for discrimination in the workplace and stereotyping that may occurDiscuss barriers Lifestyle SkillsGoal settingAssessing strengths and weaknessesIdentifying lifestyle values and work value conflicts

Career Counseling InterventionsSupport and Follow upSupport through individual or group interventionsCareer counselors can serve as a source of support for women in the workplace