Telling a Good Story: Using Narratives in Vocational Rehabilitation With Veterans

Abstract

Because of the high chronicity of work‐related problems in a Veterans Administration Medical Center population, many of the traditional methods of career assessment, counseling, and placement have proven ineffectual. In this article the authors detail the development of an intervention based on narrative or storytelling principles. They describe efforts to introduce this model to patients as well as to relate patients' stories to vocational outcomes. The usefulness of stories as an organizing principle for counselors and clients is discussed, and suggestions are offered for further uses of storytelling interventions.

Student Veteran Career Transition Readiness, Career Adaptability, and Academic and Life Satisfaction

“…For example, in a study of 317 veterans, most participants indicated they wanted to learn how to transfer skills they learned in the military to the workplace (Hayden, Ledwith, Dong, & Buzzetta, 2014). In a qualitative study with 14 veterans, Krieshok, Hastings, Ebberwein, Wettersten, and Owen (1999) found that veterans who transitioned to civilian life after deployments encountered several challenges regarding their vocational identities. These challenges included experiencing doubts about their ability to work and readiness to make vocational changes (Krieshok et al, 1999).…”

“…In a qualitative study with 14 veterans, Krieshok, Hastings, Ebberwein, Wettersten, and Owen (1999) found that veterans who transitioned to civilian life after deployments encountered several challenges regarding their vocational identities. These challenges included experiencing doubts about their ability to work and readiness to make vocational changes (Krieshok et al, 1999). Krieshok et al (1999) suggested that veterans’ telling stories about their past jobs and careers and current goals helped them plan better for their future careers and vocational identities.…”

“…These challenges included experiencing doubts about their ability to work and readiness to make vocational changes (Krieshok et al, 1999). Krieshok et al (1999) suggested that veterans’ telling stories about their past jobs and careers and current goals helped them plan better for their future careers and vocational identities. We could find no studies that explicitly measured student veterans’ career transitions.…”

“…DECEMBER 2019 • VOLUME 67 Wettersten, and Owen (1999) found that veterans who transitioned to civilian life after deployments encountered several challenges regarding their vocational identities. These challenges included experiencing doubts about their ability to work and readiness to make vocational changes (Krieshok et al, 1999).…”

Trauma Symptoms: Relationship With Career Thoughts, Vocational Identity, and Developmental Work Personality

“…To date, there has been limited research and discussion regarding the relationship between trauma symptoms, career development, and vocational behavior. Extant research has focused on providing career counseling to specific groups of individuals who may have been exposed to traumatic events or who have a high likelihood of being exposed to trauma (Bowen, 1982;Gianakos, 1999;Ibrahim & Herr, 1987;Krieshok, Hastings, Ebberwein, Wettersten, & Owen, 1999;Strauser & Lustig, 2001). However, there has been little empirical-based research that has addressed the relationship between trauma, career development, and vocational behavior.…”