Facilitating successful school and career transitions: A strengths-based approach

Abstract

Life in school and at work is marked by many transitions, some more expected than others, through development and between contexts. Preparedness is key in managing such transitions. Personal resources, such as career adaptability, in the interaction with the elements of the environment, influence the quality and outcome of these transitions. Positive transitions are supported by optimal human strength and well-being. This chapter presents the elements that describe school and career transitions, explores the factors that influence such transitions, and presents a strengths-based approach to the study and intervention for successful transitions. Career counsellors assist in the quality of developmental and contextual transitions when they pay attention to students’ preparedness for the transition and assist in building students’ strengths.