Potential, Actuality or Vulnerability? The Importance of Recognition in Career Counselling for Newly Arrived Migrants

Abstract

AbstractThis article studies the importance of recognition in career guidance counselling for newly arrived migrants. The term “recognition” is used as a sensitising concept, in line with Herbert Blumer’s sociology. The article draws attention to many different meanings of the concept of recognition, such as the recognition of previously established knowledge, skills and experiences; study and career aspirations; norms and values; opportunities for development; and the recognition of particularly difficult and therefore noteworthy life circumstances. The study is based on the analysis of qualitative data, drawn from semi-structured interviews with 14 study and career counsellors, who in their work meet (or have met) newly arrived migrants. The analysis draws attention to the fact that opportunities for development, as well as the recognition of particularly difficult and thus noteworthy life circumstances, are usually acknowledged without more extensive objections, but that the recognition of previously established knowledge, skills and experiences, study and career aspirations as well as norms and values can, according to the interviewees, lead to goal conflicts in study and career counselling work (although the relevance of a recognizing approach is generally emphasised).