What approach would best help a school counselor address stereotypical thinking in career development for students from diverse backgrounds?

Seeking individuals who share background characteristics with the students as role models is a powerful approach to help address stereotypical thinking in career development. This strategy operates on several levels.

First, having role models who have successfully navigated the career landscape can inspire students by showcasing diverse pathways to success, demonstrating that individuals from similar backgrounds can achieve their professional goals. This visibility can challenge existing stereotypes and broaden students' understanding of what's possible for them in their careers.

Second, these role models can provide relatable insights and guidance drawing from their own experiences, which can resonate more deeply with students facing similar challenges. This connection can foster a sense of belonging and community, which is particularly important for students from diverse backgrounds as they explore their career options.

In contrast, while workshops on employees' legal rights can be beneficial, they do not directly address the deeper issues of stereotypical thinking. Encouraging parental involvement can support students, but may not specifically mitigate stereotypes in career choices. Grouping students from similar backgrounds for career development activities might limit exposure to diverse career options rather than broaden perspectives, which could inadvertently reinforce stereotypes.