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Approaches and strategies for understanding the career development needs of migrants and refugees: the potential of a systems-based narrative approach

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Abstract

Addressing immigrants’ social and work inclusion is a priority at a time of increasing migration to Italy and Europe. Career counsellors can identify the sense of self in transition, consider complex experiences and socio-cultural stories, and tailor actions for inclusion. This project enhances understanding of this process and the elements that impact outcome and meaning of social inclusion and post-migration career development, providing suggestions for career guidance. We also explore the contribution of the Systems Theory Framework as a meta-theoretical and practical map, and present case studies. Results underscore the potential of a narrative approach to support immigrants’ career development.

Résumé

Approches et stratégies pour comprendre les besoins de développement de carrière des migrant-e-s et des réfugié-e-s: le potentiel d’une approche narrative basée sur les systèmes

L’intégration sociale et professionnelle des immigré-e-s est une priorité à une période de migration croissante vers l’Italie et l’Europe. Les psychologues-conseillers-ères en orientation scolaire et professionnelle peuvent identifier le sens du soi en transition, tenir compte des expériences complexes et des histoires socioculturelles, et adapter les mesures pour l’intégration. Ce projet amène une meilleure compréhension de ce processus et des éléments qui ont une influence sur les résultats et le sens de l’intégration sociale et du développement de carrière suite à la migration, en fournissant des suggestions pour l’orientation scolaire et professionnelle. Nous explorons également la contribution de la théorie des systèmes en tant que carte méta-théorique et pratique, et présentons des études de cas. Les résultats soulignent le potentiel d’une approche narrative pour soutenir le développement de carrière des immigrant-e-s.

Zusammenfassung

Ansätze und Strategien zum Verständnis der beruflichen Entwicklungsbedürfnisse von Migranten und Flüchtlingen: das Potenzial eines systembasierten narrativen Ansatzes

In einer Zeit der zunehmenden Migration nach Italien und Europa ist es wichtig, die soziale und berufliche Eingliederung von Migrantinnen und Migranten anzusprechen. Berufsberater können deren Selbstverständnis (‚self ‘) in der Übergangsphase identifizieren, komplexe Erfahrungen und soziokulturelle Geschichten berücksichtigen und Maßnahmen zur Inklusion maßgeschneidert entwickeln. Das vorgestellte Projekt verbessert das Verständnis dieses Prozesses und der Elemente, die sich auf das Ergebnis und die Bedeutung der sozialen Eingliederung und der beruflichen Entwicklung nach der Migration auswirken, und liefert Vorschläge für die Berufsberatung. Wir untersuchen auch den Beitrag des systemtheoretischen Rahmens als metatheoretische und praktische Landkarte und präsentieren Fallstudien. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen das Potenzial eines narrativen Ansatzes zur Unterstützung der beruflichen Entwicklung von Zuwanderern.

Resumen

Enfoques y estrategias para comprender las necesidades de desarrollo de la carrera de migrantes y refugiados: el potencial de un enfoque narrativo basado en sistemas

Abordar la inclusión social y laboral de los inmigrantes es una prioridad en un momento en que aumenta la migración a Italia y Europa. Los orientadores profesionales pueden identificar el sentido de sí mismo en la transición, considerar experiencias complejas e historias socioculturales y adaptar las acciones para la inclusión. Este proyecto mejora la comprensión de este proceso y de los elementos que influyen en el resultado y el sentido de la inclusión social y el desarrollo de la carrera después de la migración, proporcionando sugerencias para la orientación educativa y profesional. También exploramos la contribución del Marco Teórico de Sistemas (STF) como un mapa meta-teórico y práctico, y presentamos estudios de casos. Los resultados subrayan el potencial de un enfoque narrativo para apoyar el desarrollo de la carrera de las personas migrantes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University, Enna (IT), Enna, Italy

    Paola Magnano & Rita Zarbo

  2. Department of Science of Education, University of Catania (IT), Catania, Italy

    Andrea Zammitti

  3. Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova (IT), Padua, Italy

    Teresa Maria Sgaramella

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  1. Paola Magnano
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  2. Rita Zarbo
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  4. Teresa Maria Sgaramella
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Appendix: Subdivision of the hierarchy of nodes and references in NVivo analysis of themes

Appendix: Subdivision of the hierarchy of nodes and references in NVivo analysis of themes

Parent nodes

Nodes

References

Individual System

Individual traits

8

Interests and passions

2

Psychological resources

4

Values and Beliefs

4

Environmental–Social System

Environmental aspects of the country of arrival

13

Opportunity of finding a job

2

Positive and agentic behaviour in the community

6

Social System

Family relationships

5

Influences on Career

Influences related to self

23

Social relationships

11

Work life

28

Influences on Time Perspective

Family life and work contexts

7

Future residential locations

5

Opportunities provided by living in the new country

4

Past

2

Personal future identities

2

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Magnano, P., Zarbo, R., Zammitti, A. et al. Approaches and strategies for understanding the career development needs of migrants and refugees: the potential of a systems-based narrative approach. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 22, 385–405 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-020-09457-w

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