| Author(s) | Cathy Campbell and Peggy Dutton |
| Publisher | CERIC |
| ISBN | 978-0-9811652-6-4 |
| Get your own copy | $19.99 |
About the Authors
Cathy Campbell, PhD has over 20 years’ experience as a researcher, career counsellor, program developer and manager in school, community college, university and government settings. She has extensive experience at both a client and program level in helping young adults make effective transitions into post-secondary education and into the workplace.
Peggy Dutton has spent over 30 years as a career information specialist, creating an eclectic range of career resource products for educators, counselling practitioners and the general public.
Synopsis
Backed by current scholarship and based on a study of the experiences of young people in the decade after graduating from high school, Career Crafting offers a powerful and insightful portrait of the early career journeys that young adults undertake, told in their own words.
The authors dispel the “Career Myth” that those in their late teens and 20s should follow a linear, predictable route from high school to post-secondary training, and then on to permanent, full-time jobs. They argue that the unrealistic expectations of the Career Myth create anxiety for young adults, which, in turn leads them to make poorly thought out career decisions or to procrastinate for fear of making the wrong choice.
Straightforward and accessible, the book provides practical counsel and effective tools that professionals can use to help reduce young adults’ anxiety and to assist them to take action in the face of uncertainty. Eight Career Crafting Techniques are introduced that integrate chaos-friendly approaches to career counselling that emphasize the fluidity of young people’s career journeys with more traditional ones. While the focus of this book is on young adults, it is a must read for career professionals who work with clients of all ages.
Reviews
“I absolutely love this book! It combines up-to-date scholarship with practical examples and a great layout. The metaphors used throughout are insightful and bring energy and vitality. The concept of ‘career craft’ fits well as an overarching strategy for change in a context where complexity and uncertainty are paramount. While the focus of this book is on youth, the information and practical strategies have application to career counsellors working with clients of all ages. This book deserves to be read and reread.“
“Career Crafting articulates the challenges faced by young people clearly, honestly and helpfully. Older people managed their careers within the ‘modern’ economy, but younger folks have to get ‘postmodern.’ This is an excellent resource for practical tips and perspectives on being proactive in the face of uncertainty and in the face of accelerating economic and labour market change. It’s a great resource for both young people and educators.”
“Today’s career journey is a scary angst-ridden time for youth and this book, with its current Canadian research, background knowledge, and relevant case studies, is a not-to-be-missed resource for anybody who works with late teens and early 20s youth assisting them with the complex process of transitioning from school to work.”
“This invaluable resource is a powerful and realistic depiction of the realities of life after high school for many young people told using their own words. Practitioners and parents will gain empathy and guidance in providing support and young people will be reassured the path is more often zigzag than linear. An informative and easy read culminating in a practical and powerful concluding chapter.”
“A terrific source of information for educators, career counsellors, young people and their parents. Cathy Campbell very effectively reminds us that the most important aspect for helping youth find their way in the world of work is support and encouragement from others. She also points out that young people themselves need to accept the reality that finding a career and work is a journey and not a destination.”
“Hats off to Cathy, Peggy and CERIC! With current research and real people and stories they once again shatter the myth that with a good plan young people can expect to enjoy a fulfilling, linear career path from school to retirement. This book is a “must” for transitioning youth and the parents and career professionals doing their very best to support them. It should also be required reading for students, teachers, counsellors and parents in secondary and post-secondary systems. If more exploration took place in the decade before graduation less drifting and settling would likely occur in the decade after. Above all, the role of public education should be to prepare all students to transition directly from the classroom to success in career and life. Current curricula focus almost exclusively on acquisition and regurgitation of knowledge unrelated to the workplace skills and experiences students need for career success and for which employers are pleading.”