Possible partners include schools, community colleges, co-operatives, development associations, business organizations, farm associations, unions, rural women's associations, youth groups, and native organizations. Variations among rural communities demand that programs remain flexible and adaptable. Within a general framework, local considerations may require career counselors to add, drop, or modify program content. In one program, participants used fax machines to introduce themselves and handle information requests during the program. A local coordinator received bulky materials and distributed them to participants as needed.
Local knowledge can help avoid problems.
Career counselors can develop programs that meet the needs both of rural residents wanting to pursue careers in larger urban centers and of those wanting to create their niche in a changing rural society. To be successful, career counselors must provide partners with a realistic assessment of the effort required, give adequate support throughout the process, and establish regular communications to monitor progress, address problems, and develop mutual feelings of trust and inclusion. The experience of the Centre for the Development of Distance Career Counselling demonstrates the effectiveness of using communications technologies to help people in remote communities explore alternatives and manage their careers. Counselors have only begun to tap the potential unleashed by new media. As distance career counselors develop their media skills, they will discover new ways to improve the quality of career services to remote communities.