BOOM!“PTJL: Post Traumatic Job

Loss and Career Development Recovery Even Without The

Privilege of Choices”

Deborah G. Haskins, Ph.D., LCPC, NCGC-II

BOOM!

Work has a central place in adult life and in shaping persons’ identities

We ask children “ What do you want to be when you grow up?” from the time they enter school

First question we ask people: “What do you do?” (vs. in some cultures “How are you doing?”)

(Foud & Bynner, 2008)

Illustrations: College-educated White Male, newly

remarried with a daughter beginning college in 3 months, loses job. Was a corporate trainer and also teaches English to ESOL individuals. Took over a year to find employment. Takes a part-time job and helps wife care for her dad

African American college educated female loses job in management. Is a single parent of a daughter with severe disabilities. Unemployed for 18 months. Loses home, car, and lives in county with limited public transportation

White male working in steel industry. Plant shut down. Wondering “How am I going to take care of my family? Working at the plant was my whole life. I don’t know how to use computers—I never had to on my job and every job now requires these skills.”

Date National Unemploymt Rate

Maryland Unemploymt Rate

Maryland Unemployed

August, 2010

9.6% 7.3% 216,591

July, 2010 9.5% 7.1% 209,917

June, 2010 9.5% 7.1% 209,445

May, 2010 9.7% 7.3% 215,295

April, 2010 9.9% 7.5% 221,318

March, 2010 9.7% 7.7% 228,088

February, 2010

9.7% 7.7% 227,135

Several assumptions made theoretically:1.Persons are making transitions under

optimal conditions2.Persons are making transitions

voluntarily3.Persons have the capabilities and

resources to make the transitionsReality for Many: Transitions are made

in time of turmoil/crisis (Foud & Bynner, 2008)

Voluntary: Transitions that happen in the life span of most persons (Schlossberg, 1984) Include: those made by persons moving eagerly from school to work, changing jobs/careers and those choosing to leave work force for childbearing or retirement (Fouad & Bynner, 2008)

Involuntary: Transitions that are not expected (Schlossberg, 1984); Include: Persons laid off, facing forced retirements, forced to reenter labor force because of policy changes, or changes in personal circumstances (e.g., divorce, death of loved one) (Fouad & Bynner, 2008)

Psychological/Emotional: shock, denial, anger, fear, existential (“Now I have an opportunity to examine life and look for purpose”)

Spiritual: questioning God or Higher-Power—”Why me?”

Obstacles Experienced: Individual barriers: not having enough

info to make sound decision, not having time to prepare for transition, not having the emotional, social, or financial support to adjust

Barriers: environmental (i.e., racism, sexism, ageism, slow economy, high unemployment, unpredictable timing of opportunities); institutional (policiesaffecting educational opportunities or govt-supported programs for persons not working (i.e., unemployment compensation, Social Security benefits)

May have to make decisions in non-optimal circumstances

What happens in long-term unemployment?

Impact on relationships—strained family relationships

Loss of self-respect Impact on career goals Am I in the right job? Settling for less Pessimism on the job hunt

Age/Time Life Stages Sub stages

0-7 Birth CuriosityFantasies

8-14 Growth InterestsCapacities

14-25

30

Exploration CrystallizingSpecifyingImplementingStabilizing

35-45 Establishment ConsolidatingAdvancingHolding Transition

50-60 Maintenance Updating InnovatingDecelerating Transition

65-75 Disengagement Retirement PlanningRetirement Living

Source: Brown, et al., 1984.

Typically 7 Stages:1. Immobilization: overwhelmed, unable to make plans, unable to

respond verbally (can last few minutes or months)2. Minimization: desire to make change appear smaller than it is

3. Self-Doubt: ranges; doubting ability to care for self/dependents; anxiety related to not knowing what will happen next/future

4. Letting Go: letting go of anger/emotions; accepting what is really happening; detaches from original situation and begins to look toward the future

5. Testing Out: often develop burst of energy, “now I can handle it., offers advice to others, exploring how to network and move forward

6. Search for Meaning: seeks to understand how events are different and why; a cognitive process where one trys to understand feelings of others and own

7. Internalization: implies a change in values and lifestyle; may develop new copings skills and growth emotionally, spiritually, or cognitively after going through the crisis

(Adams & Hopson, 1977; 1997)

Assess how job loss/trauma is affecting this client

Assess what are priorities for this client (note cultural differences)

Assess what coping skills/resources client has/needs—make this a focus of goals/plans

Assess how client has made decisions in past: If deficit, focus on this area

Be careful not to use our own experiences (especially if privileged) as focus for client

Identify resources in community (e.g., community college career services; career coaching) and assist client to begin utilizing

Refer to career counselors/vocational practitioners for more help in some cases

Community Colleges Career Services

University Career Centers (esp. for alumni)

Local Maryland Professional Outplacement Assistance Centers, www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/officenum.htm

Local One-Stop Career Center (located in each MD country) www.dllr.state.md.us/county

Professional Outplacement Assistance Center in Columbia, MD: www.dllr.state.md.us/poac

Individuals with Disabilities: www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/indivwithdisabilities.shtml

Benefits for Military Veterans: www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/veteranservices.shtml

Public libraries: Have several resources for job hunting including databases of companies

Job clubs sponsored by churches, synagogues, and temples

Govt. or non-profit career and job planning offices: i.e.. Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfwtmpl.asp

Maryland Job Service: Register to get access to thousands of career opportunities in the State of Maryland, www.dllr.state.md.us/county

Bolles, R. N. (2009). What color is your parachute? 2009: A practical guide for job-hunters and career changers. Berkely, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Bolles, R. N. & Nelson, J. E. (2007). What color is your parachute? For retirement: Planning now for the life you want. Berkely, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Mass, V. S. (2008). Lifestyle changes: A clinician’s guide to common events, challenges, and options. New York, NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.

Zunker, V. (2008). Career, work, and mental health: Integrating career and personal counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.