Exploring community strategies to career education in terms of the asset-based approach : expanding existing career theory and models of intervention

Abstract

In this article we explore a rural community's strategies for career education from the asset-based approach in order to expand on existing career theory and models of intervention. In a qualitative case study exploring a community's expectations of career education, one of the themes that emerged from four focus group interviews was possible intervention strategies for career education. The stakeholders' suggestions of community-based resources, career education skills training and networking are discussed. Subsequently it is debated that these can be explained from the theoretical framework of the asset-based approach. The asset-based approach is illustrated by means of this case study. Examples of how the asset-based approach could stretch career theory and models of intervention are proposed. It is concluded that parallels exist between the asset-based approach and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) with regard to career education. In conclusion it is recommended that further research should focus on expounding the links between IKS and career theory as a means to document new and critical career development theories and counseling approaches.