MC Career and Vocational Counseling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Krumboltz's Happenstance Learning Theory encourages clients to:
- Follow a structured five-year career plan
- Remain open to unplanned events as career opportunities (Correct answer)
- Choose careers based solely on aptitude scores
- Avoid changing careers after age 30
Correct answer: Remain open to unplanned events as career opportunities
Happenstance Learning Theory posits that curiosity, persistence, and openness to unplanned events can generate significant career opportunities.
Question 2: Which counseling approach is most appropriate when a client expresses significant anxiety about making a career change due to fear of failure?
- Directive information-giving
- Cognitive-behavioral career counseling (Correct answer)
- Strict trait-and-factor matching
- Immediate job placement referral
Correct answer: Cognitive-behavioral career counseling
Cognitive-behavioral career counseling targets irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions (such as fear of failure) that block effective career decision-making.
Question 3: In Gottfredson's Theory of Circumscription and Compromise, 'circumscription' refers to:
- Accepting a less preferred career due to external barriers
- Narrowing occupational options based on gender and prestige perceptions (Correct answer)
- Expanding career options through counseling
- Matching interests to occupational environments
Correct answer: Narrowing occupational options based on gender and prestige perceptions
Circumscription is the process by which children progressively eliminate career options that conflict with their self-concept regarding gender type and social prestige.
Question 4: A vocational rehabilitation counselor's primary goal when working with a client with a disability is to:
- Secure long-term disability benefits
- Facilitate employment and independent living (Correct answer)
- Diagnose the disability's psychological impact
- Provide psychotherapy for adjustment disorder
Correct answer: Facilitate employment and independent living
Vocational rehabilitation counselors help individuals with disabilities achieve competitive integrated employment and greater independence.
Question 5: A client states: 'I'd love to be a doctor, but I'm not smart enough.' A career counselor recognizing this as a barrier would likely address it as a:
- Realistic appraisal of academic ability
- Self-efficacy belief that may be inaccurate (Correct answer)
- Permanent occupational disqualifier
- Sign of healthy self-awareness
Correct answer: Self-efficacy belief that may be inaccurate
According to SCCT, low self-efficacy beliefs — not necessarily actual ability — can significantly limit career aspirations and should be examined and challenged therapeutically.
Question 6: The NCDA (National Career Development Association) Code of Ethics specifically addresses career counselors' responsibilities regarding:
- Billing rates and insurance reimbursement
- Competence, client welfare, and use of assessment tools (Correct answer)
- Building client dependency for ongoing services
- Avoiding all technology in service delivery
Correct answer: Competence, client welfare, and use of assessment tools
The NCDA Code of Ethics covers professional competence, informed consent, confidentiality, client welfare, and the appropriate use of career assessments.
MC Career and Vocational Counseling 2
Krumboltz's Happenstance Learning Theory encourages clients to: