ASSIGNMENT 1

Read the articles by Arnold (2004) and Jepson and Chouduri (2001) (These are on LEO.) Read also the book by Bright and Pryor (2011). Refer also to your class notes and discussions.
Answer the following question in 3000 words.
Critically evaluate the notion of “matching” clients to careers on the basis of their vocational interests as measured using vocational interest inventories. Is such a process a necessary or sufficient one for vocational guidance? What other factors (if any) should a counsellor consider? Should vocational interest testing be abandoned, or does it have a role to play? What are the pros and cons of internet delivery of such forms of assessment?

Assessment criteria:
Assessment task
Critically evaluate the notion of “matching” clients to careers on the basis of their vocational interests as measured using vocational interest inventories. Is such a process a necessary or sufficient one for vocational guidance? What other factors (if any) should a counsellor consider? Should vocational interest testing be abandoned, or does it have a role to play? What are the pros and cons of internet delivery of such forms of assessment. 50
Sub-components Weighting
Define and evaluate matching and identify key theories and theorists associated with this approach
What does matching mean in the context of career decision-making about future directions (as opposed to say, addressing selection criteria in job applications).
Identify at least one key theory that employs the notion of matching as a central idea. Explain how matching works within the theory(ies) identified.
Review the evidence for and against matching. Does matching lead to better career decisions? 14

Necessary and Sufficient?
Is a matching approach all that is required in career counselling about career choices? If yes, justify why this is so with appeals to evidence and outcome studies. If no justify why this is so with appeals to evidence and outcome studies. Further, if no, what elements are missing or should replace matching? Justify with evidence. 14
Testing
Should vocational interest testing be abandoned, or does it have a role to play? What are the pros and cons of internet delivery of such forms of assessment.
12
Conclusions
Synthesise and summarise your answers to the above sub-sections to provide a coherent and cogent overall position with respect to the assignment questions. 10

Recommended references
Nancy Arthur, Roberta Neault, and Mary McMahon (Eds). (2019). Career Theories and Models at Work: Ideas for Practice. CERIC: Toronto, ON
Bright, J., Earl, J & Winters, D. (2013). How to write a Brilliant CV . London: Pearson.
Hooley, T., Bright, J. & Winters, D. (2016). You’re hired! Online job hunting the complete guide. UK; Trotman.

Pryor, R., & Bright, J. (2011). The chaos theory of careers. A new perspective on working in the twenty-first century, New York, NY: Routledge