Confronting the effects of unemployment on achievement motivation : the case for postmodern career facilitation

Abstract

This article describes the ways in which postmodern career facilitation was applied to enhance achievement motivation in a male adolescent from a community with a high unemployment rate. A case study following a mixed-method approach was conducted with a purposefully selected youth and a postmodern career facilitation intervention was developed and implemented. The participant's achievement motivation was assessed pre-intervention and post-intervention by means of the Achievement Motivation Profile (AMP). Several AMP subscales increased significantly after the intervention (team player, competitiveness, self-confidence and achiever). Other changes following the intervention included an overall increase in the scores in the subscale 'work habits' (planning/organisation, initiative, team player). Apart from revealing an increase in achievement motivation, the findings indicated self-reported heightened selfawareness and enhanced interpersonal collaboration. We (the authors) conclude that postmodern career facilitation could lead to breadth and depth changes in achievement motivation, which could equip adolescents to negotiate unemployment challenges.