Ethics In Career Counselling

Introduction

The term ethics is derived from the Latin word ethic which refers to moral philosophy. It is used to refer to the study of customs and values of an individual or a group. It encompasses the analysis and use of concepts such as responsibility. Ethical norms are the moral standards that help us judge good from bad or right from wrong and living morally. This involves articulating the good habits or that we should have, the consequences of our behavior on us and others and the duties that we are supposed to follow.

Career counseling ethics is a form that evaluates ethical guidelines and moral issues that can come up in a counseling environment. The counseling environment during the 21st century have become focused and conscience. Consequently, the need for more ethical counseling behavior, actions and processes is increasing. As a result, pressure has been mounted on the career counselors to improve their counseling ethics through laws and refined public initiatives. The variety and quantity of ethical issues in career counseling shows the extent to which the professional is considered to be in line with ethical values. Over the years, the concept of career counseling ethics accelerated sharply between the 1980s and 1990s within major organizations. (Savickas, 1993)

Importance of career counseling

Career counseling is important as it helps in;

Making informed career resolutions and setting proper directions
Changing and choosing degree programs and also majors
Planning for job after graduating
Determining resources that support career chose and actions (Crites, 1981)

What career counseling involves

Career counseling entails confidential meetings with a well trained professional for example a psychologist, or a social worker who follows the laid down ethics and standards in the profession. The career counselor will ask some questions concerning your career and your plan of life, and discuss about the main personal influences that will influence your career. Career counseling normally entails setting goals and objectives and learning to determine good career decisions. (Savickas, 1993)

Career counseling does require the professionalism of trained experts since careers issues are complex and normally requires a comprehensive approach by the career counselor who should have extensive training education and experience. At the same time they are several bodies which have come of with ethical codes that the career counselors need to follow when performing their duties. Among these bodies is the National Board for Certified counselors (NBCC) the ethical code of the NBCC was adopted by the National Career development NCDA in the year 1987 and was revised in 1991. The NCDA is a scientific, educational, and professional body that is dedicated in enhancing the dignity, potential, worth and uniqueness of all individuals and at the same time serves the community. (NCDA, 2007)

The National Career Development Association (NCDA) is the main body that guides the ethical conduct of career counselors in the country. The body has specific ethical conduct rules and regulations which each career counselor and other parts that are concerned are supposed to follow. The ethical code of conduct is meant to elucidate the manner of ethical responsibilities for the current and the future career professional counselors. We shall examine the ethical code of conduct in details. (NCDA, 2007)

Though there are various ways of defining ethics, basically ethics and ethical conduct is about being professional and transparent. The NCDA code of ethics has been formulated as a guide to career counselors. The code of ethics offers defined principles which can be used in different situations and settings. The code serves both the careers professional counselors and those who are getting services from the counselors so that they are in a position to understand their responsibilities and rights as consumers. The ethical code of conduct is divided into nine main parts which are;

• Professional relationships
• Confidentiality and privacy
• Relations with other experts
• Evaluation, interpretation and Assessment
• Using the internet in career counseling services
• Supervision teaching and training
• Research findings and publication
• Resolving of ethical issues

Professional relationship ethical code of conduct

Career professional counselors support customer growth and development in a manner that enhance the welfare and interests of the customer and enhances creation of a healthy relationship. Career counselors actively try to comprehend the different cultural backgrounds of the customers they offer services to and how they affect their values and belief.

Respect; As professionals counselors they have a responsibility of respecting the dignity and promoting the wellbeing of their clients. (NCDA, 2007)

Services provided; Career counselors are also supposed to differentiate between the types of service they offer. For example, career planning and career counseling should be clearly be stated as they are different from each other. (NCDA, 2007)

Records; career counselors are supposed to keep records as stipulated by the law; the records have to be sufficient and timely. They have also a responsibility of ensuring that the records precisely show the progress of the client and the services being provided. In case of any errors the career counselors are supposed to correct those errors. The career counselors are expected to be aware and follow all related local, state, federal or and institutional laws, statutes and procedures relating to record keeping. (NCDA, 2007)

Confidentiality and privacy; privileged communication

Career professional counselors should know that trust is a keystone of the professional relationship with the client. The counselor should work to be trusted by the client. The counselor need to create partnerships, establish and uphold appropriate limits, and keep confidentiality. The counselor is supposed to ensure that he observes the following;

Respecting the client rights; career counselors are supposed to keep alertness and sensitivity in regard of the cultural meaning of privacy and confidentiality. The counselor is supposed to respect the rights of the client to privacy. He should only solicit private information from the client if the information it useful to the client. Confidential information should not be shared out without direct consent of the client or by proper legal or ethical validation. However, where legal requirement and danger is, the information can be disclosed. Example, of when a career counselor can disclose information is where there is actual or suspected child abuse or if the client has a threatening disease that is communicable and may affect other people. (NCDA, 2007)

Information shared with others; career professional counselors are supposed to ensure that confidentiality and privacy of client’s information is observed his subordinates who may include supervisees, employees, clerical assistant students and volunteers.

Permission to record; professional career counselors should get permission from their clients before recording information from the client. It is important that when a client requests information from the counselor the professional should offer consultation and assistance in interpreting the information. (NCDA, 2007)

Professional responsibility ethical code of conduct

Career counselors provide honest, accurate and open communication when dealing with other professionals and that public as whole. They practice their work without discrimination within the limitations of personal competence and professionalism and have a responsibility of keeping the NCDA code of ethics. Career professional counselors have a duty to the public in engaging in ethical conduct. Thus, they should practice the underlined professional ethical conduct;

Competence boundaries; professional career counselors need to practice their profession within boundaries of their capability, depending on their training, education and experience. Career counselors should only agree to be employed in areas in which they qualify depending on the education levels. It is important they also hire professions who are qualified and also competent. (NCDA, 2007)

Accurate Advertising; when advertising professional counselors are supposed to state their professional credentials accurately so that, they do not mislead or deceit the public. when advertising their products or training programs, the career counselors are supposed to ensure that advertisement about these products are accurate and have full and accurate information about the product or training being advertised so that consumers or clients an make informed information. (NCDA, 2007)

Nondiscrimination; as professionals, career counselors are not supposed to be engaged in any kind of discrimination behavior against any person on the basis of culture, age, race, physical/mental disability, ethnicity, religion, gender, creed, ***ual orientation language preference, marital status or socioeconomic status or any other feature.

***ual Harassment: ***ual harassment can be defined as soliciting for ***ual favor; physical moves, nonverbal or verbal conduct which is ***ual in nature, that takes place in relation to professional activities or duties, and which offensive, unwelcome, or lead to hostile workplace. Professional ethical code entails that; career counselors should not engage or pardon ***ual harassment. (NCDA, 2007)

Relationships with other professionals, ethical code of conduct

Career professional should know that value of their contact with other colleagues can manipulate the quality of the services that they provide to the clients. Career counselors should there fore develop a constructive working relationship and good communication systems with colleges in order to enhance their services to clients. Under this code, the career counselor should follow the following discussed issues.

Respecting different approaches; career counselors are supposed to respect different ways to career services which are different from their own. Ethical conduct dictates that career counselors should be respectful of practices and traditions of other experts with whom they work with. (NCDA, 2007)

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