Experiential Career Exploration: Qualitative Examination of a Group-Based Intervention

This study explores the self-reported experience of vocationally stalled adults transitioning from welfare to work as reported on the Session Impact Scale and uses Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) to analyze their observed in-the-moment interactions in an experiential career preparation intervention. The analysis resulted in five domains, Affiliation, Barriers, New Knowledge, Isolated Noteworthy Events, and Negative Impacts, and 20 categories. Implications for the practice of career counseling as well as the training of those who work with transitioning assistance recipients and vocationally stalled adults are discussed. Suggestions for further research with this population in the context of career preparation are also discussed