Running head: DIVERSITY ISSUES IN CAREER COUNSELING 1 DIVERSITY ISSUES IN CAREER COUNSELING 5 Diversity Issues in Career Counseling Janine Vereen COUN5279 Professor Fred Wilson Diversity Issues in Career Counseling According to Arthur & McMahon (2005), over the years, the population has changed from homogenous groups to mosaic people. The mixture of different groups of people come with diverse customs and cultures. The diversity has influenced many aspects of the society in that the focus has shifted from monoculturalism to a wider focus, and that is multiculturalism. The idea of an integration of society with different groups of people has probed the career counselors to adapt more combative measures in counseling the various groups found in the same society. Various characteristics define the diversity issues in career counseling. Taneka is a teenager in junior high school in need of vocational guidance. As the eldest sibling in a family of three, she exhibits characteristics of a responsible, hardworking and a dependable young adult. In this case, Taneka, an African-American girl from a low-income family needs career counselling. Any career advice that Taneka can get from a career counselor must address some of the characteristics of diversity issues in career development. Age is one of the characteristics which plays a significant role in the type of counseling that a professional counselor must consider so that it can help her to transition from high school to college and the job market as well. By the fact that she is still a teenager, the relationship would be the one of a mentor and a mentee. At this level, Taneka would be required to consider adult questions and make adult choices. The kind of counseling focuses on comparable outcomes, and that is socialization to higher education both socially and academically. At seventeen years, Taneka needs advice on the best career path to follow. Her abilities to deal with people would make her prosper in the sales business. As a professional counselor, I must be able to foster a relationship that respects all parties and in this case, the relationship should employ cultural sensitivity and diplomacy (Arthur & McMahon, 2005). In her family, post-secondary education has never been given much priority due to the lack of the financial resources. However, since Taneka had seen some light on the issue, I should be sensitive to her feeling about the matter and try to make her understand the importance of furthering her studies. In the counselling process, understanding the client is critical. In the case of Taneka, the counselling would be a client-centered approach (Arthur & McMahon, 2005). Gender impacts counselling significantly. Since Taneka is a woman, the advice should be centered on matters affecting women in the societ ...