Exploring processes of change in a life-design career development intervention in socio-economically challenged youth

Abstract

Previous research has sought to identify the underlying processes and mechanisms that lead to lasting changes in a client’s career development, yet more research needed to understand what elicits effective changes. The present research will explore how life-design career counselling supports change in a group of disadvantaged South African adolescents. The present research study will focus on a post-intervention qualitative strand, which included evaluative worksheets completed post-intervention (n = 265) and a focus data six months later (n = 6). Braun and Clarke’s (2006) content analysis was used to group themes according to the Career Construction Theory (CCT) and process constructs of narrative career counselling. Qualitative findings provide evidence that the intervention had elicited long-term changes in career development and facilitated reflective processes. Implications and recommendations for research and practice will be discussed.