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MODULE 3
CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOPS
BEFORE YOU START: CHECKLIST
Purpose
The career planning workshops focus on group or individual counselling to help participants develop an optimal career plan. This plan will consist of specific career goals: career path, short and long term objectives, upgrading through education and training (strategies), skills development though volunteer and/or paid work. Participants will be encouraged to develop a career portfolio, where all the information about their career development can be organized for easy access. Group work allows for information sharing and mutual support. Individual work offers a more in-depth and client-centered approach.
Expectations from the Workshops
Participants will:
- Chalk out a career path
- Develop short/long term goals
- Know their education and training upgrading
options
- Plan their volunteer and paid job strategies
to focus on skills and transferable skills
- Have a career development portfolio
styled somewhat on the Conference Board of Canada’s
"Career Development Portfolio"
Cross-Cultural Notes
- If newcomers are unsure about their
career future, try to find out as many details
as possible about their previous experience
since this is a necessary starting point for
self-assessment and career planning
- Discuss the importance of language
improvement, if necessary. Some newcomers are
under high pressure to find general labour employment.
Acknowledge their choices but remind them that
this might put them in a vulnerable situation
unless they learn language and prepare themselves
for some upgrading in case those positions became
unavailable in the future-or if their career
aspirations change. Learning language even on
a part-time basis in combination with employment
guarantees more choices later on.
- Point out the experiences and successes
of other newcomers when trying to encourage
positive thinking and optimism.
- Encourage newcomers to consider upgrading
skills/knowledge, and explain various affordable
training opportunities or a combination of training
and transitional employment as a way of overcoming
financial barriers.
- Explain to newcomers how to develop
a resume that will effectively sell their skills
in the process of looking for a job
- Explain and try to de-mystify the notion
of "Canadian experience". Discuss
the ways of overcoming this obstacle. Expand
this topic to a discussion on the importance
of exposure to a new work environment. Point
out that there are many advantages to gaining
experience through volunteering or transitional
employment (learning about the Canadian work
environment, getting positive references, learning
new skills, getting financial or other support
for possible training, etc).
- Talk about entry level, transitional
and jobs of choices. Point out the various paths
to successful employment and relate that information
to the corresponding activity. Discuss the importance
of setting realistic goals and persistently
working toward them.
- Talk openly about licensing and certification
issues. Discuss timing and other issues if necessary.
Ensure that a newcomer is aware of the process
and what it involves. Discuss transitional strategies.
Arrange for a newcomer to hear first hand experiences
of those who went through the process.
- Share your own experiences and/or those of other newcomers when discussing the various choices.
- Review or discuss the Canadian work environment (customs, values, behaviours, age, gender or work ethic issues) if pertinent to the career decision making.
Objective
To assist newcomers in the determination of realistic short and long-term goals by demonstrating and utilizing career decision-making tools adapted for newcomers.
Outcome Indicators
Newcomers are able to determine their "career path" as a result of attendance of the "career workshop" or individual counselling.
Methods
Group sessions, individual counselling.
Techniques
Existing career materials, culturally anchored techniques, interactive exercises, videos, sources available through the internet, career tracking tools, counselling and mentoring. As in Module 2, an Informational Interview is an excellent technique. It can be used both in an individual exercise, or in a group setting as a guideline for the discussion with resource people. Please refer to the following sections: "Action Plan" (under "Group Workshops", the second segment of this module) and "Career Path" (the third segment of this module).
Evaluation
Outcome evaluation to be collected from the participants at the end of the session, or upon completion of the individualized support.
Length
Three hours, morning or afternoon, or individual meetings; one to three meetings, to a maximum of six hours.
Participation
Maximum of 10 participants.
Individual counselling as per availability of supports.
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