Examples, case studies, exercises
Case study (from Savickas, 1995):
We have the case of a medical college graduate who did not feel comfortable or ready to
make a career decision in the year of his graduation. The young man is seeking guidance
for employment opportunities in the psychology sector.
The counsellor chose to use SDS (Self-Directed Search, Holland 1985), JVIS (Jackson
Vocational Interest Survey, 1977), and WVI (Work Values Inventory, Super 1970) with
the client for an objective and multi-faceted assessment.
The SDS brought up the following occupations in the page of vocational revelry (day-
dreaming about work life): physicist, nurse, optician, salesman, and commercial airline
pilot. Final SDS code: I-A-S.
The JVIS revealed high scores in the art of business, social sciences, personal services,
family activities, medical services, independence and interpersonal trust, while low for
academic performance and primary education, and even lower for teaching, social
services, technical writing, desk work and supervision.
In the WVI test he scored high in altruism, independence, intellectual stimulation,
context, and security; low in management, prestige, variety, creativity and related.
The reading of the results in the objective testing of values and interests matched with the
client’s hesitation to choose further studies, while at the same time opened the door to
exploring the health and sales sectors.
The subjective assessment revealed two early memories:
- Being left in day-care by his working mother; having to sleep in a room full
of children and not liking it at all; wondering whether his mother would
actually come and take him home. - Wearing glasses in school; being called one day in front of the class and
having to clean his glasses; feeling the embarrassment.
Other notable outcomes of the subjective assessment were in the form of two role models:
- Superman, the flying hero; he did not display his feelings, but clearly had a
sense of humour. He let others express. - The team of five in a science-fiction short story. His favourite personage used
toys to stop the bad guys in their evil plans.
The counsellor derived that independence and individuality are important to the client;
at the same time, that he enjoys being part of a team ; he makes a point by expressing his
individuality without the underlying feelings. The discomfort around school and teachers
is present to this day. The dirty glasses lesson urges him to always be clean and
presentable.