Issue 25(1)

Featured Review

Review by: Jo Calhoun

Looking for a more in-depth career exploration tool than Holland 's Self-Directed Search? This is it. This updated edition of a tried-and-true career decision-making workbook provides an excellent walk through the career development process for both traditional-aged and returning adult college students. Sears and Gordon have designed a book that leads seekers from clueless to confident.

Chapters offer the reader a wealth of information in a small space. The authors begin with thought-provoking questions about the nature of work before introducing the career-planning conceptual structure that parallels the book's presentation: awareness, exploration, choice, and commitment. Each stage has identifiable outcomes that go hand in hand with individual personal characteristics: knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors. For example, the knowledge outcome required for the awareness stage is identified as "[ The student ] is aware of the need for knowledge about self, work, and decision making; [ the student ] is aware of a process for deciding" (p. 8). At the end of the decision-making process, the behavior that follows, commitment, is identified succinctly: "[ The student ] has taken specific actions to commit" (p. 8). The book provides the reader with the tools needed to move through the process from self-awareness, to commitment, to a plan of action (i.e., job seeking in a particular career field).

The strongest chapter (among several) is How Will I Decide? Through inventories on decision making and risk taking, the authors offer useful information on ways to self-assess decision-making style. They also provide a good tool for reflection through exercises in which one plots important decisions made over time. In a section dedicated to the topic, the authors provide an excellent treatment of the difficult and complex decision-making process, which often paralyzes the inexperienced career seeker. They also wisely include a reality-check exercise entitled Why Some People Don't Act on Their Decisions.

If this workbook has a weakness, it is that it tries to do too much. Summary information on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is too brief and ends with the caveat, "This exercise is in no way related to or representative of the MBTI. For more information.." (p. 21). Because of the value of the MBTI in the career development process, the authors should have urged the reader to confer with a qualified MBTI evaluator. Similarly, four pages on ethical behavior cannot do justice to this important topic. Instead the authors would have better served their purpose by stimulating the reader's interest and directing them to a substantive bibliography in which some of the excellent resources available on the topic are cited.

Still, this workbook is an excellent resource to students enrolled in an advanced high school or a college-level career decision-making course. Students will benefit greatly by completing and reflecting on sections of the book between class periods. The self-directed independent learner will also find this book helpful and user-friendly. It is thorough, sound, and encouraging: a strong walking stick for the journey through the career decision-making process.

Review by: Jo Calhoun

Student Life Division

University of Denver

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Review by: Joanne K. Damminger

Career development is a lifelong process that includes awareness and exploration of one's knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors. Building Your Career: A Guide to the Future outlines the various stages in the career development and planning process and helps readers to understand the essential factors of making satisfying and educational career decisions.

The authors identify the importance of self-awareness and knowledge of educational and occupational alternatives as critical components of effective decision making. In addition, they include pertinent information about preparing for a job, seeking job satisfaction, and advancing in a career.

Sears and Gordon explain the facets of the career decision-making process within nine chapters that include definitions and succinct and readable information about key career planning concepts. Beginning with career development theories, such as those by Holland (1985) and Super (1984), the authors help readers to see how career decisions start with individual assessment of values, interests, and competencies. They stress that effective career planning includes learning about oneself, exploring occupational options, and becoming knowledgeable about educational alternatives and how these factors can, and should, contribute to appropriate career decisions. The authors elaborate on the skills needed to be successful in the job search process and conclude with advice on how to enter, maintain, and advance in a chosen field.

A definite strength is the authors' emphasis on personal skill development and its importance in the job search and subsequently in the workplace. The development of competencies, such as effective communication and time management skills, can enhance college, work, and life experiences. In addition, the authors offer tips for the job search and include sample resumes and resume checklists along with helpful words for writing resumes and cover letters. The text concludes with networking and interviewing terminology and tips.

Each chapter in the book not only provides substantive and informative content but also includes worksheets that encourage reflection on subtopics within the chapter. This workbook format encourages readers to record their thoughts and reflect and apply the presented information. Case studies that illustrate points in various chapters are other strong attributes. In addition, each chapter concludes with a chapter summary of the information presented, information on how to apply the lessons to real life, and a checklist for assessment.

I recommend this book to advisors and career counselors as well as to individuals who desire more knowledge about self-assessment and the career-planning process. Professionals and other individuals will find the content clearly presented and the workbook format easy to use; it is a practical supplement to a career development course. In fact, this book is a powerful support for anyone who seeks to learn more about themselves, the world of work, and career planning for the future.

References

 

Holland , J. L. (1985). Making vocational choices: A theory of vocational personalities and work environments (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

 

Super, D. E. (1984). Career and life development. In D. Brown & L. Brooks (Eds.), Career choice and development (pp. 192-234). San Francisco : Jossey-Bass.

Review by: Joanne K. Damminger

Assistant Director, Career and Academic Planning

Rowan University