Alexandra Reeves

CNS 743
Assignment 4.1
2015Jul14

When it comes to the case of Jeremy, I found that the Cognitive Information Processing

Approach (CIP) would work well. This theory is rooted in the Parsonian Model and also involves

cognitive information processing (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). The parts of the Parsonian Model that

this theory utilizes is: self-understanding, occupational knowledge, and bringing these two things together

to make a choice (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). It is obvious that Jeremy realizes a career problem

exists since he is given 6 months to find another job. This is when he begins synthesis. The first phase of

synthesis is elaboration (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). Jeremy has begun this process already by

brainstorming his next move. He brings up a few options like, a career in education or the health care

field, but needs to dig deeper than this. While this brainstorming can lead to many ideas rather than

quality ideas, it is a good start. Then the next phase should start which is crystallization (Niles & Harris-

Bowlsbey, 2013). This is when the client identifies the possible solutions that mesh with their abilities,

interests, or values (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013).

There are seven steps to applying this theory. Step one involves an initial interview of the client.

This is when the career counselor would attempt to grasp the career problem at hand. During this time, I

would make sure to get information about Jeremys current career and what he likes and dislikes about it.

I would also attempt to find out what other careers he would be interested in. I would also attempt to find

out his skills and any possible education to better fit him with a possible career field. Step two would then

focus on using the Career Thoughts Inventory (CTI) to help determine the clients ability to determine

possible careers (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). This helps to eliminate any possible dysfunctional

career thoughts. In Jeremys case, he is afraid of venturing into a new field of interest due to the possible
risk. This type of thinking needs to be addressed and restricted if possible in order to move forward and

find him a possible career.

Step three involves the client and counselor working together to determine possible career

problems and come up with causes of these problems (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). Step four is the

continuation of this but also includes the formulation of attainable problem solving and decision-making

goals (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). The client is able to move onto step five once these goals are

formed. The counselor then turns this into an individual learning plan (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013).

Step six involves the client acting out their individual learning plan. The counselor would be along for the

journey to provide support and feedback to their clients (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). The last step,

step seven, go over the clients progress together and discuss any new learning in order to minimize any

potential career problems (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013).

The second theory that I thought would work well with Jeremys case is Savickas Career

Construction Theory. This theory has some similarities and differences to the Cognitive Information

Processing Approach. The Career Construction Theory includes three perspectives. These are:

differential, developmental, and dynamic (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). This theory involves the

clients interests, abilities, and values as well but looks at them in relation to the environment (Niles &

Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). Career adaptability is really important to this theory and helps with transitions

from job to job. In Jeremys case, his career adaptability seems to be good since he is considering other

possible career fields. Jeremy, in order to keep an adaptive approach, needs to a) be concerned about the

future, b) increase personal control over the future, c)display curiosity about exploring future scenarios

and considering possible selves, and d) develop the confidence to pursue identified aspirations (Niles &

Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013).

Based on the information given about Jeremy in the prompt it is clear that he embodies these

necessities. It is important as his career counselor to help him maintain these actions and ideas. The most

important part of this theory is the Career Style Interview (CSI). This is beneficial to helping the clients
realize the private meanings they attach to their career behavior (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). As

Jeremys counselor, I would have him complete the CSI and then dig more into his past. By finding out

about Jeremys past, I can help provide information that will help him build a possible future. The

responses to the questions from the CSI help provide life themes that will in turn help Jeremy make career

decisions. While the CIP approach does use the CTI to find out more information on their client, it is not

the bases of the theory. The main part of CIP is the seven steps within the theory. The Career

Construction Theory focuses on the CSI and these questions provide answers that are the bases of the

theory. I find that the CIP theory goes more in depth and in turn is more beneficial to the clients. It does

not just help them in the here and now but rather in the future as well.

Reference:

Niles, S. G., & Harris-Bowlsbey, J. (2013). Career Development Interventions in the 21st Century
Student Value Edition (4th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson College Div.