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Incorporating the Narrative in Career Planning

  • Published:
Journal of Career Development

Abstract

The article makes a case for the construction of narratives as major focus for career planning. Narratives can be seen as an appropriate compliment to the analysis of objective test data that has dominated our practice in the past. Narrative is described as an approach for career counselors to understand clients' vocational experiences and future plans. Subjective and objective aspects of a career narrative are explored, and emphasis is placed on co-authoring a career story that is subjectively meaningful and objectively sound. The client's subjective understanding of the career story is given importance as being pivotal information that must be considered in career counseling. Five key interventions are described from a narrative perspective.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri, 201 Student Success Center, Columbia, MO, 65211-6060

    Torben K. Christensen & Joseph A. Johnston

Authors
  1. Torben K. Christensen
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  2. Joseph A. Johnston
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Correspondence to Torben K. Christensen.

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Christensen, T.K., Johnston, J.A. Incorporating the Narrative in Career Planning. Journal of Career Development 29, 149–160 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021462028524

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021462028524

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