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The role of practitioners in helping persons make effective use of information and communication technology in career interventions

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Abstract

We examine the role of counselors and other practitioners in delivering career interventions using Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Current benefits and limitations of ICT use provide the basis for recommendations. Potential benefits of increased ICT engagement include cost-effectiveness and improved access to resources and support. Potential limitations include poor assessment and information quality, limited practitioner support when needed, problems with distance intervention and social media, confidentiality of client records, inequality of access, inadequate competencies, and poor implementation. Specific practitioner roles are identified, and those related to social media are elaborated. Implications for theory, research, training, and policy are provided.

Résumé

Nous examinons le rôle de conseillers et autres praticiens durant du counseling de carrière dans l’utilisation des Technologies d’Information et de Communication (TIC). Les bénéfices et limites actuelles de l’utilisation de TIC donnent les bases pour des recommandations. Les bénéfices potentiels de l’augmentation de l’utilisation de TIC comportent une réduction des coûts et un accès amélioré à des ressources et supports. Les limites potentielles comportent une mauvaise qualité d’évaluation et d’information, un support limité aux praticiens en cas de besoin, des problèmes avec les interventions à distance et les réseaux sociaux, la confidentialité des données des clients, l’inégalité d’accès, des compétences inadéquates, et une mauvaise implémentation. Des rôles spécifiques de praticiens sont identifiés, et ceux en lien avec les réseaux sociaux sont élaborés. Des implications pour la théorie, recherche, formation, et politique sont indiquées.

Zusammenfassung

Wir untersuchen die Rolle von Beraterinnen und Beratern und anderen Praktikerinnen und Praktikern bei der Durchführung von Karriereinterventionen die Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie (IKT) nutzen. Aktuelle Vorteile und Einschränkungen der IKT-Nutzung bilden die Grundlage für Empfehlungen. Zu den potenziellen Vorteilen eines verstärkten IKT-Engagements zählen Kosteneffizienz und ein verbesserter Zugang zu Ressourcen und Unterstützung. Zu den potenziellen Einschränkungen zählen eine unzureichende Bewertung und Informationsqualität, eingeschränkte Unterstützung durch Praktikerinnen und Praktiker obwohl ein Bedarf besteht, Probleme mit Fernintervention und sozialen Medien, Vertraulichkeit der Kundendaten, ungleicher Zugang, unzureichende Kompetenzen und unzureichende Umsetzung. Es werden spezifische Rollen von Praktikerinnen und Praktikern identifiziert und diejenigen die im Zusammenhang mit Sozialen Media stehen, werden näher herausgearbeitet. Implikationen für Theorie, Forschung, Ausbildung und Politik werden beschrieben.

Resumen

El artículo examina el papel de los consejeros y otros profesionales de la ayuda en el cumplimiento de sus intervenciones en la carrera usando la tecnología de la información y la comunicación (TIC). Los beneficios y limitaciones actuales del uso de la TIC nos proporcionan el fundamento para recomendarlas. Los beneficios potenciales de incrementar el uso de la TIC incluyen el coste-eficacia y la mejora del acceso a los recursos y su mantenimiento. Las limitaciones potenciales incluyen una pobre valoración e información de calidad, limitada ayuda professional cuando se necesita, problemas con la intervención a distancia y las redes socials, confidencialidad de los expedientes de los clients, desigualdad de acceso, competencias inadecuadas y pobre implementación. Se identifican específicos roles profesionales y se elaboran aquellos relacionados con las redes socials. Finalmente se aportan implicaciones en teoría, investigación, formación y política.

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Acknowledgements

This article is based in part on a keynote address presented by the authors at the 2018 International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance Conference, Gothenburg, Sweden. Helpful reviews of the manuscript were provided by Janet Lenz, Julia Makela, Debra Osborn, Matthew Sampson, and Sandy Sampson.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Study of Technology in Counseling and Career Development, Florida State University, 100 South Woodward Avenue, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4162, USA

    James P. Sampson

  2. Finnish Institute for Educational Research, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Jaana Kettunen & Raimo Vuorinen

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  1. James P. Sampson
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  2. Jaana Kettunen
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Correspondence to James P. Sampson.

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Sampson, J.P., Kettunen, J. & Vuorinen, R. The role of practitioners in helping persons make effective use of information and communication technology in career interventions. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 20, 191–208 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-019-09399-y

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