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Communication in Career Guidance

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to deepen knowledge, skills, and competencies to foster interaction within career management support. Students enhance and assess their knowledge and skills regarding the nature, types, functions, and barriers of interpersonal interaction, as well as the nuances of information perception, delivery, and comprehension within the context of career management support. Students develop an understanding of the diversity of interaction and various communication models. During the course, students refine their knowledge and share experiences regarding client interaction, networking skills, and the ability to collaborate with diverse target groups. Emphasis is placed on the skill of communicating effectively with colleagues or clients by employing appropriate language, utilizing verbal and non-verbal communication elements, and applying knowledge of interaction and collaboration. Students further develop methods that facilitate interaction within career support services. Through practical assignments, students demonstrate their ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate theoretical insights in relation to the outcomes of practical tasks. The course includes three independent assignments, one of which involves a presentation before an audience.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge.
Students are able to explain: the nature of interaction, processes, and communication models between representatives of different cultures and social groups; the nature, elements, types, functions, and characteristics of verbal and non-verbal communication; describe barriers to interaction and explain the emergence and resolution of conflicts; describe individual typologies; explain: the nature of stress and signs of burnout; positive and productive interaction; and the communication ecosystem in career counseling and the necessary competencies (test).
Skills.
Professional skills.
Students are able to: draft press releases and announcements for information networks (Practical Assignment 3); establish a dialogue and employ methods that foster positive interaction when providing career management support to clients of diverse ages, cultures, and social groups, as well as analyze situations (Practical Assignments 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9).
General skills.
Students are able to: listen to information, collaborate as necessary, and engage in reasoned discussion regarding interaction and communication in the context of career management support (all practical assignments).
Competence.

Students are able to: evaluate insights into communication and interpersonal interaction necessary for research and practical work; assess the impact of their own interpersonal interactions on work situations by applying communication theories and insights in practice; evaluate communication ecosystem models in career counseling (Practical Assignments 1, 6, and 10; independent written assignment); and present before an audience, conveying information appropriately and answering questions (presentation on a course topic and Practical Assignment 2).

Course Content(Calendar)

Full-time studies.
Lectures (24 h):
1. Definition, structure, types, and functions of interaction and communication; their relationship with needs and the influence of the social environment. Communicative competence required for a career counsellor and communication models. An ecological approach to developing communication models in career counselling (3 h).
2. Types of public speaking. Informative and persuasive speeches. Speaking before an audience: recommendations for verbal and non-verbal communication. Creating presentations using NotebookLM, Gemini, ChatGPT, and the LBTU template. Creating posters and infographics. Drafting press releases and announcements for information networks (4 h).
3. Processes involved in interaction. Charisma. Social perception. Interaction and positions in communication, including intergenerational communication and the specifics of information acquisition and learning. Destructive elements and barriers in communication (3 h).
4. Productive listening. Distinguishing between listening and hearing; skills in conveying, receiving, and perceiving information; informative, critical, and empathic listening. Methods facilitating interaction: active listening, the narrative method, role-playing, etc. Characteristics of establishing a reflective dialogue and learning during the process. Digital communication: synchronous and asynchronous interaction (4 h).
5. Interaction in the context of individual typologies. Conflicts, their types, and resolution; mobbing and bossing. Interacting with people with special needs (4 h).
6. Positive and productive interaction. Psychological climate. Conditions for creating a favourable psychological environment. Nature, functions, and dynamics of small social groups; inclusive environment and interaction. Stress, stress management, burnout, and their impact on interaction (4 h).
7. The nature and dimensions of culture. Characteristics of intercultural interaction and the communication ecosystem in career counseling. Emotional intelligence and its significance in career counseling (2 h).

Practical Assignments (24 h):
1. Assessment of the communicative competencies required for a career counsellor and of communication ecosystem models in career counselling (3 h).
2. Public speaking (6 h).
3. Drafting press releases and information network announcements (2 h).
4. Reflection on charisma and establishing a reflective dialogue regarding career choices (3 h).
5. Assessment of listening skills (1 h).
6. Thomas-Kilmann test (2 h).
7. Case analysis regarding interaction with people with special needs (2 h).
8. Case analysis regarding positive and productive interaction, the creation of an inclusive psychological environment, and professional situations in a multicultural setting (2 h).
9. Case analysis regarding stress management (1 h).

10. Assessment of competencies required for the communication ecosystem in career counselling, including emotional intelligence criteria and indicators (2 h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Cumulative exam. All practical assignments completed and two independent assignments submitted. Test.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. Independent assignment – a presentation on one of the course topics, meeting specific criteria and demonstrating in-depth understanding and presentation skills.
2. Independent written assignment – an evaluation and summary of theoretical and practical insights regarding interaction, meeting specific criteria.
3. Preparation for a test based on previously provided questions.
Students are introduced to the assessment criteria for independent work and the test questions during classes.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The cumulative grade for the study course is calculated as follows:
10% – practical assignments;
30% – independent work – presentation;
30% – independent written assignment;

30% – test.

Compulsory reading

1. Amundsons N. Aktīvā iesaistīšanās. R.: VIAA, 2016. - 348 lpp. Pieejams: LBTU Fundamentālajā bibliotēkā Primo
http://primolatvija.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/gbln8n/371KISC
_AlephLNC04-000853952
2. Apsalons E. Komunikācijas kompetence: Kā saprasties un veidot attiecības. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2013. - 304 lpp. Pieejams: LBTU Fundamentālajā bibliotēkā.
3. Floyd K. Interpersonal Communication. E-book. Dubuque, Iowa: McGraw-Hill Education, 2021. Available:
https://www.scribd.com/document/1024250745/Interpersonal-Communication-3rd-Edition-by-Kory-Floyd-premium-download
4. Kincāns V. Etiķete sadzīvē, lietišķajos kontaktos, starptautiskajās attiecībās. R.: Elpa-2, 2000. - 190 lpp. Pieejams: LBTU Fundamentālajā bibliotēkā.

5. Wrench J.S., Punyanunt-Carter N.M., Thweatt K.S. Interpersonal Communication: A Mindful Approach to Relationships. 2nd edition. 2025. Available: https://milneopentextbooks.org/interpersonal-communication-a-mindful-2nd/

Further reading

1. Apele A. Prasme runāt publiski. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2011. -135 lpp.
2. Briede B. u.c. Mācību metodes. Jelgava: LLU, 1997. – 68. lpp.
3. Dainton M., Zelley E.D. Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life. A Practical Introduction.London: Sage Publications, 2005. - 250 p.
4. Gamble T.K., Gamble. Communication works / 11th ed. New York : McGraw-Hill, 2013. - 512 p.
5. Edeirs Dž. Efektīva komunikācija: Vissvarīgākā vadības mākslas metode. R.: Asja. 1999. - 259 lpp.
6. Fēlavs E.G. Konflikti darbā: atpazīt, risināt, novērst. R.: Balta eko, 2003. – 121 lpp.
7. Goulmens D. Tava emocionālā inteliģence. R.: Jumava, 2019. – 463 lpp.
8. Hantingtons S. F. Civilizāciju sadursme. R.: Jumava, 2012. - 376 lpp.
9. Johnson D.W., Johnson F.P. Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills (11th Edition). Prentice Hall, 2012.
10. Kabāne O.F. Harismas mīts. R.: Zvaigzne ABC, 2017. - 288 lpp.
11. Kupčs J. Saskarsmes būtība./Saskarsmes psiholoģija. R.: Zvaigzne ABC, 1997. - 72 lpp.
12. Mācību kursa “Efektīvas pasniegšanas metodes” dalībnieka rokasgrāmata. R.: Valsts aģentūra “Kultūras informācijas sistēmas”, 2008. – digitāli radīts.

13. Pīzs A. Ķermeņa valoda. R.: Jumava, 2006. - 414 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Metodes.lv. Resursi mācīšanai un vadīšanai https://www.metodes.lv/
2. Touitou T.C. Communication, Conflict and Crisis Management. Available: https://www.ejbmr.org/index.php/ejbmr/article/view/251

Notes

Compulsory course: Faculty of Economics and Social Development. Professional Master’s Study Programme "Human Resource Management and Career Counselling", 7th level.