A mini dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at the University Of Zululand, 2017 / Career guidance and counselling services are an important and essential starting point in career development. In the South African context, career guidance services are often under-utilised by high school learners, as a result, a large proportion of matriculants leave school with uncertainty about what careers they want to pursue. Much focus has been placed on improving matriculation results but it is almost counterproductive when career guidance is given minimal attention. The college and career-readiness agenda seems to be given very little attention and this weakness results in a number of challenges which negatively affect society, as the normative expectation in today's society is for a person to complete high school and acquire skills which will contribute to the improvement and rebound of the economy and for people to give back to the communities in which they live and thrive. There are presently limited trained personnel in South Africa to provide career guidance services and the Department of Higher Education and Learning has observed this problem and is currently reviewing the competency framework of career guidance services. The general aim of this study was to investigate the role and impact of formal career guidance and counselling, and the absence thereof, during high school. The study sought to unveil whether recipients of formal career guidance and counselling during high school had more career insight than non-recipients. Further, the study looked into the roles played by career guidance material and informal sources utilised by learners during high school before making career choices and also assessed the level of satisfaction which the participants experience in their current careers. The study was conducted at the University of Zululand main campus in KwaDlangezwa in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The target population was 50 academic staff from all four faculties at the University of Zululand. However, due to circumstances beyond the researcher’s control, only 34 questionnaires could be used at the time of the data collection. Stratified random sampling was employed in the study. The data was collected using a self-developed questionnaire by the researcher and data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 10.0 computer programme. Descriptive statistics (frequency tables, percentages, cross tabulations, graphs and charts) were used in data analysis. The study revealed that the majority of the participants left school without career guidance. As a result, they stumbled in finding suitable careers post matric. It was also observed that learners from all school types faced a similar problem regarding the lack of career guidance services, career material and other sources of information regarding careers. The limitation of this study was that the sample was not a large sample due to time and budget constraints and the results were only from the study area.

The policies, practices and training needs of Saskatchewan guidance counsellors and educational psychologists with respect to cross-cultural counselling and assessment were investigated. The response rate to a mailed questionnaire was 55% (n 53) for counsellors and 48% (n = 22) for educational psychologists. The data were analyzed via a series of frequency counts and parametric statistics. In the absence of provincial guidelines, ethnic minority students are administered the same standardized intelligence tests as majority students, no modifications are made to compensate for cultural differences, but cautionary notes regarding the precision of scores are included in the final report. The classroom teacher is responsible for many aspects of the testing, assessment and placement procedures, and the parents are consulted throughout the process. Counsellors and educational psychologists have positive opinions towards cultural pluralism and recognize that ethnic minority students have unique problems and special counselling needs in adjusting to the present education system. They feel, however, inadequately prepared to help these students. The vast majority of counsellors and educational psychologists are interested in receiving cross-cultural training. Their preference for training is in the form of in-service workshops sponsored by their provincial professional associations (SGCA and SEPA) and by their local school as inadequate in the nine competency areas identified by the American Psychological Association as being important for pupil support personnel working with ethnic minority students and believe the post-secondary institutions must affirm their responsibility in the field of multicultural education by ensuring that counselling and educational psychology trainees acquire the knowledge, skills and practical training required to function effectively in a multicultural society. Recommendations for action and suggestions for future research are presented.

The policies, practices and training needs of Saskatchewan guidance counsellors and educational psychologists with respect to cross-cultural counselling and assessment were investigated. The response rate to a mailed questionnaire was 55% (n 53) for counsellors and 48% (n = 22) for educational psychologists. The data were analyzed via a series of frequency counts and parametric statistics. In the absence of provincial guidelines, ethnic minority students are administered the same standardized intelligence tests as majority students, no modifications are made to compensate for cultural differences, but cautionary notes regarding the precision of scores are included in the final report. The classroom teacher is responsible for many aspects of the testing, assessment and placement procedures, and the parents are consulted throughout the process. Counsellors and educational psychologists have positive opinions towards cultural pluralism and recognize that ethnic minority students have unique problems and special counselling needs in adjusting to the present education system. They feel, however, inadequately prepared to help these students. The vast majority of counsellors and educational psychologists are interested in receiving cross-cultural training. Their preference for training is in the form of in-service workshops sponsored by their provincial professional associations (SGCA and SEPA) and by their local school as inadequate in the nine competency areas identified by the American Psychological Association as being important for pupil support personnel working with ethnic minority students and believe the post-secondary institutions must affirm their responsibility in the field of multicultural education by ensuring that counselling and educational psychology trainees acquire the knowledge, skills and practical training required to function effectively in a multicultural society. Recommendations for action and suggestions for future research are presented.

Submitted in part fulfillment of the requirements for PhD (Community Psychology) in the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2009. / Learners need effective school-based Guidance and Counselling Services to assist them with their developmental and situational needs. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the extent to which Guidance-Counselling Program is implemented in secondary schools in line with South African Education White Paper 6 of 2001 and ACSA Performance Standards. The study further intended to capacitate educators and Guidance counsellors with knowledge and skills on how to develop and maintain effective Comprehensive and Integrated Guidance-Counselling Services in their institutions. A sample of 153 educators and 130 learners was selected from secondary schools in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces. Secondary schools that received (orientation) training on SA Education White Paper 6 from the researcher were compared with those who did not receive such training. Data was collected through a questionnaire consisting of structured and semi-structured questions. Responses from focus groups were content analyzed into themes and descriptive techniques were utilized. The Objective/Close-ended questions were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) (Version 17). x2 Tests were computed for categorical data and to analyze any differences, in relation to level implementation of Guidance-Counselling Program. The main finding of the study was that, secondary schools differ significantly on how they implement Life Orientation, Guidance and Counselling activities. Furthermore, there is a perfect relationship among secondary school learners and educators on how they perceive the Guidance-Counselling Services within their respective institutions. The need for Comprehensive and Integrated Guidance-Counselling Program Model, clear guidelines and performance standards cannot therefore be overlooked. If this program is effectively implemented, it may contribute substantially towards excellent academic results, improved psychological well-being, and production of matured and responsible future citizens.

Syftet med vår uppsats är att undersöka om de gotländska studie- och yrkesvägledarna arbetar med genus-, klass- och etnicitetsfrågor. Vi vill ta reda på vilka metoder som används och om något samarbete sker runt dessa frågor. Utöver detta är vi intresserade av att ta reda på om verksamhetscheferna tar ansvar för detta uppdrag och formulerar hur man har tänkt sig att arbetet skall gå till. Intresset har väckts under vår tid på studie- och vägledarutbildningen i Stockholm och främst som ett resultat av vår B-uppsats, då vi granskade vilken kunskap rektorerna hade om studie- och yrkesvägledarnas kompetens och i vilken mån studie- och yrkesvägledning hade tagits upp i rektorsutbildningen. Vi fann att rektorerna hade mycket liten kunskap om vägledning och att rektorsutbildningen inte hade berört detta område alls. Vi har sänt ut postenkäter till 24 vägledare, verksamma inom grundskolan, gymnasieskolan, särskolan, komvux, folkhögskolan, högskolan och arbetsförmedlingen. Även friskolorna har tillsänts enkäter. 16 vägledare har svarat. Det resultat vi har fått fram visar att en majoritet av vägledarna inte har uppfattat att de har fått ett uppdrag att arbeta med genus-, klass- och etnicitetsfrågor. Trots detta är det en del vägledare som arbetar med detta, i individuella samtal och vid gruppvägledning. Genusfrågor är det område som flest arbetar med, därefter kommer klassfrågor och då det gäller etnicitetsfrågor är det endast en vägledare som har arbetat med detta under det senaste året. Inget samarbete sker vägledare emellan, men i vissa fall med övrig personal. Uppsatsen visar att vägledarna sannolikt behöver ett formulerat uppdrag av sina chefer för att arbetet skall initieras, men också att fortbildningsinsatser krävs för att kunna utföra uppdraget. Vi anser att det är ett angeläget uppdrag, som om det uteblir får till följd att människor begränsas i sina studie- och yrkesval på grund av genus, klass och etnicitet. Om inte vägledarna arbetar med detta, vem är det då som tänder stjärnorna? / The purpose of this essay is to examine whether or not career guidance counselors in Gotland work with consideration to gender, class and ethnicity.  We wish to find out which methods are employed and whether or not there is any collaboration among counselors concerning these issues. As well, we are interested in finding out if the directors take responsibility for these tasks and have a framework for how the work is to be executed. Interest has been raised during our guidance counselor education and particularly as a result of our B-essay in which we examined the level of knowledge principals had concerning the competence of guidance counselors and to which extent guidance counseling had been a part of the principal's education. We found that the principals had very little knowledge of guidance counseling and that their education had not even touched on the subject.  We have sent questionnaires to 24 guidance counselors working in comprehensive schools, upper secondary schools, schools for handicapped children, adult education schools, university and the employment office.  Even independent schools received questionnaires. 16 guidance counselors have responded.  Our results show that a majority of the counselors have not comprehended that their task includes working with questions of gender, class and ethnicity. In spite of this, there are a number of counselors who work with these issues, in individual conversations and in group discussions. Gender issues are most frequently taken up followed by class issues. During the past year there was only one counselor who had worked with questions of ethnicity.  There occurred no collaboration between counsellors. However, in certain cases, there was collaboration with other staff members. The essay shows that counselors likely require a framework from their directors in order for this process to get under way but that continued education is required in order to follow through with this task. We consider this a mission of urgency, the lack of which will result in students being limited in their choice of study and vocation as a result of gender, class and ethnicity. If guidance counselors don't work with these issues then who will light the stars?

In Ontario, career and guidance services are offered by teachers who have completed additional undergraduate studies. The training required to become a guidance counsellor appears to be insufficient to properly deliver the necessary guidance and counselling services. Many guidance counsellors are still operating as teachers within their new role as guidance counsellors. The aim of this qualitative research was to explore the professional identity of guidance counsellors’ working in Ontario, from their perspective. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed and twelve guidance counsellors were interviewed. Eight participants had completed the required undergraduate studies and four had completed a master’s degree in the field. The thematic analysis revealed four major themes that articulated and explained their professional identity: peer support, contextual factors, professional experience and formal training. The study’s limitations are discussed and suggestions for future research are offered.

In Ontario, career and guidance services are offered by teachers who have completed additional undergraduate studies. The training required to become a guidance counsellor appears to be insufficient to properly deliver the necessary guidance and counselling services. Many guidance counsellors are still operating as teachers within their new role as guidance counsellors. The aim of this qualitative research was to explore the professional identity of guidance counsellors’ working in Ontario, from their perspective. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed and twelve guidance counsellors were interviewed. Eight participants had completed the required undergraduate studies and four had completed a master’s degree in the field. The thematic analysis revealed four major themes that articulated and explained their professional identity: peer support, contextual factors, professional experience and formal training. The study’s limitations are discussed and suggestions for future research are offered.

Syftet med denna studie är att öka förståelsen för vilka strategier vägledarna på grundskolorna anser är centrala för att förbereda eleverna inför det individuella vägledningssamtalet samt belysa hur vägledarna uttrycker betydelsen av dessa förberedelser. En kvalitativ intervjustudie används som metod för att besvara studiens syfte samt forskningsfrågor och studien är baserad på intervjuer med åtta yrkesverksamma vägledare på grundskolor. Tidigare relevant forskning i kombination med valda teoretiska ramverk, karriärteorin Cognitive Information Process (CIP) samt Goffmans Inramningsteori, används som analysverktyg, vilka står i enlighet med studiens syfte och forskningsfrågor. Sammanfattningsvis indikerar resultatanalysen att de förberedelsestrategier som vägledarna anser är centrala för att förbereda eleverna inför det individuella vägledningssamtalet kan delas upp i åtta kategorier, vilka fördelas under tre teman; Strategier för att öka elevernas kunskap om alternativen, Strategier för att öka elevernas självkännedom samt Strategier för ett djupare vägledningssamtal. Betydelsen av att i vägledningens praktik kombinera samtliga förberedelsestrategier för att förbereda eleverna inför det individuella vägledningssamtalet är att den individuella samtalstiden i vägledningssamtalet ges goda förutsättningar för att bli av en mer kvalitativ och produktiv karaktär.

Studie-och yrkesvägledning är något som enligt skollagen alla elever utom förskolebarnska erbjudas för att kunna göra väl underbyggda framtidsval. Skolans vägledningska även vara frivillig, vilket innebär att det ofta är elevernas eget ansvaratt söka upp vägledaren för att få prata om sina tankar och funderingar.Grundskolan är en plats där eleverna utökar sin kunskap, men även utvecklar sinidentitet samtidigt som de utsätts för stereotyper och könsmässiga fördomar. Dennaundersökning har fokuserat på pojkarna i grundskolan. Fyra kvinnliga och fyramanliga studie- och yrkesvägledare inom grundskolan har intervjuats för attsöka svar på deras upplevelser av vägledning av pojkar inom grundskolan. Resultatetvisar ambivalenta svar då den generella upplevelsen är att pojkar och flickorsjälvmant uppsöker vägledning i samma utstäckning, för att sedan visa attpojkar är överrepresenterade i att inte komma till de bokade samtalen och attflera vägledare känner sig tvingade att hämta in främst pojkar till samtal. Resultatetvisade också att vägledarna generellt har en tydlig bild av hur en pojke ”är”och hur en flicka ”är”, samtidigt som de har en oreflekterad inställning tillhur deras eget kön påverkar vägledningssituationen. Studien tillför enförståelse för studie- och yrkesvägledarnas upplevelser av att vägleda pojkarinom grundskolan samtidigt som den visar på brister i forskningen när detkommer till studie- och yrkesvägledares vägledningssituation med pojkar. / The availability of career guidance counselling to pupils in the Swedish grundskola (mandatory school years covering ages 7-16) is stated in law, with the aim of giving them the tools needed to make well-informed choices regarding their future. Career guidance in schools is also volontary, meaning the responsibility of seeking it out often falls on the pupil. School is a place where pupils expand their knowledge and form their identities, while at the same time being exposed to stereotypical expectations based on gender. This study focuses on boys in the mandatory school years. Four female and four male career guidance counsellors are interviewed in an attempt to describe their experiences of career guidance with boys in school.   The results are ambiguous. On the one hand, the career guidance counsellors experience that boys and girls seek career guidance to the same extent. On the other hand the results indicate that more boys than girls fail to show up to booked appointments and are more often coerced into sitting down to talk with the career guidance counsellor. The results also show that the career guidance counsellors generally have a clear picture of how boys and girls "are", while not reflecting to the same extent on how their own gender affect the counselling. The study improves knowledge on how career guidance counsellors experience counselling with boys in the mandatory school years, while at the same time showing the need for further research.

The guidance counselling within the adult education in Sweden is lacking in a wide range of qualitative measures. The aim was therefore to examine how principals perceive their leadership whilst organizing guidance counselling within the adult education. Previous research has shown that a close connection and cooperation between the principal and the guidance counsellor is beneficial, and that principals carry out hands-on, direct and collaborative leadership. They do not see the guidance counsellor as a leader even though the guidance programme requires the professional’s leadership. What is less known in earlier research is how principals perceive their leadership whilst organizing guidance counselling within the adult education. A phenomenographical study has therefore been conducted. The study results showed that the principals perceive their leadership based on giving the guidance counsellor an independence but they also perceive it as an inclusive, direct, indirect, reactive and supportive leadership. The results were analysed with a phenomenographical and understanding-based perspective. The study results have contributed with new knowledge and insight in the so far unexplored field that is adult education in relation to principals’ perceptions of organizing guidance counselling. The results show a wide range of different perceptions. The main finding is that principals perceive their complex role within the adult education as the main reason to not being able to fulfil guidance counselling as a whole-school approach. This is due to their limited time as their leadership role is highly administrative. Principals perceive therefore the organization of guidance counselling as organized by the guidance counsellor. Their leadership is therefore more reactive than preventive. Another finding is that principals perceive that guidance counsellors have similar competence to a leader, whereby they are equipped to lead their own work and the guidance interventions in the school as a whole-school approach.